Stories by Ben Strang
News
Symbolic human 'walls' planned around reopened mosques
Thousands of people are pledging to form human chains outside mosques tomorrow, as Muslims head inside to pray.
'We should all be together' - Christchurch taxi drivers offer free rides
First person - Christchurch is on high alert following Friday's mass shootings at two mosques, and local taxi drivers are doing their bit to help in times of need, writes Ben Strang.
Police pursuits review leaves policy unchanged, targets training and tech
Police will improve training to reduce officers' inconsistent approaches to chasing fleeing drivers, but are largely leaving their pursuits policy unchanged, following the release of a joint review…
NZ may be a launch site for space tourism, says MBIE boss
New Zealand is positioning itself to be a leader when it comes to space tourism.
'We're not working on prevention' - road police
Police patrolling the country's roads say they are understaffed and unable to effectively tackle road safety. Audio
Victims of crime 'don't feel safe, don't feel listened to'
A survey of more than 600 victims of criminal acts has found just 11 percent of people rated their experience in the justice system as positive.
Mistake by border official allows British tourist to leave NZ
An error by a border official allowed a British tourist wanted for assault and accused of being part of a roofing scam to leave the country, the NZ Customs Service says.
SkyPath future in doubt over intellectual property row
The project director of Auckland's proposed SkyPath says NZTA will not pay up for intellectual property rights, and has now shut down communication with the original designers.
Pulling the housing market up 'by the scruff of the neck'
The government has been told not to deflect the blame after announcing a rise of almost 5000 people seeking a state house.
NZ justice system is 'an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff' - MPs hear from public
A former National Party minister is urging political parties to come together in an effort to reform the justice system.
Horticulturalists short hundreds of workers
The government has declared a seasonal labour shortage for the Hawke's Bay, which invites some visitor visa-holders to take up six weeks of work in the horticulture industry.
Parking tickets make $100k a day in NZ's main cities
A Wellington driver was the most ticketed in New Zealand's three largest cities, collected 149 parking fines in 2018, totalling $5855.
People take only their treasures during evacuation warning
They thought the worst had happened and that the charred growth extending across the Tasman region had passed them by. Video
Residents worry about blaze: 'It's another class altogether'
The hills are dry, with long rust-coloured grass resembling straw more than healthy pasture. It makes an ideal burning ground as the fires south-west of Nelson rage into their third day. Video
Wellington e-scooter trial would come with restrictions
Wellington could start an electric scooter trial by next month, but they would be restricted from use on the city's Golden Mile or Botanic Gardens.
Don Brash set to return to marae at Waitangi
Fifteen years after having mud thrown in his face at Waitangi, Don Brash is set to return to the marae on Tuesday.
Young girl ordered back to father despite saying he hit her
The mother of a six-year-old girl ordered back to Australia under the Hague Convention is questioning why her daughter's views were disregarded by a judge.
Police injuries fall but figures questioned
Some police officers are not reporting when they have been injured by an offender while on the job.
Foreign drivers pose no extra threat on NZ roads - ministry data
New Zealand drivers are crashing at higher rates than drivers visiting this country, Ministry of Transport data shows.
IPCA police pursuits report 'no silver bullet'
Police decisions to pursue are complicated and made quickly under pressure, the Police Association president says, and an upcoming report is not likely to solve the problem.
Hairdressing chain refuses woman's haircut: 'I felt horrible'
A Palmerston North woman has lost confidence in her image after the employees of a hair salon called her a freak and ordered her to leave.
Wellington building shutdown: Cinemas at risk in earthquake
Engineers who have assessed the Reading Cinemas building in Wellington say it is the cinemas themselves that are a risk in the event of a major earthquake.
Climate change impacts on NIWA expedition to Antarctica
A scientific expedition to Antarctica is expected to explore new parts of the Ross Sea this month - but there are positives and negatives to the increased access.
Indonesia tsunami aftermath: NZ aid worker describes 'extreme destruction'
A New Zealand aid worker helping tsunami victims in Indonesia says the coast is a scene of "extreme destruction".
Aus deports Pasifika people to NZ who have never set foot here: 'It's wrong'
For most people visiting New Zealand for the first time, it's by choice, but some Pacific Islanders are being forced here by the Australian Border Force.