Stories by Michael Allan
News
Forensic testing begins on car
Police expect to know within a few days whether there is any evidence of a missing Southland boy and his stepfather inside a car recovered from the sea.
Canterbury tops AOS callouts
New figures show almost a fifth of all police armed offenders callouts are in Canterbury.
Private prison's commitment to rehab questioned
Prominent lawyer Nigel Hampton QC has questioned whether a private prison set to open in South Auckland will actually help rehabilitate inmates.
NZ politicians back Iran nuclear deal
New Zealand politicians are welcoming a breakthrough in negotiations over Iran's controversial nuclear programme.
Sex assaults rise as crime rate falls
The number of sexual assaults jumped last year though the overall crime rate fell. Figures released by Statistics New Zealand and the police show the crime rate dropped in 2014...
Tradies win 'claw-back' case
A couple who lost more than $100,000 to liquidators will now try to get some of their money back following a Supreme Court ruling today.
Police faulted over sexual assault investigation
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found police failed to properly investigate a sexual assault complaint.
Seagulls attack drone at cricket
Nothing comes between a seagull and its love of our summer game, as Sky TV's drone found out during the recent test between NZ and Sri Lanka in Wellington.
Council under fire after fraud report
The Dunedin City Council is being criticised for not picking up the Citifleet fraud sooner than it did, after a report found huge pitfalls in its culture and processes. Audio
More chases dropped but deaths rising
Official figures show police are abandoning more road pursuits, but reveal a long-term trend of more deaths when pursuits end in crashes.
Violent, sex crimes up in two regions
Waikato and Waitemata have experienced a jump in violent and sexual crime in the past year. Nationwide, crime has dropped 3.2 percent this year but fewer crimes are resolved. Audio
Police tail before fatal justified - IPCA
A Greymouth police officer was justified in following a speeding car that crashed, leading to the death of passenger Judd Hall, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has ruled.
Police union says frozen budget biting
Money constraints are having a serious impact on crime-fighting, according to the Police Association, which says resources are stretched too thinly.
Police union's election year wishlist
Tougher penalties for fleeing drivers, a blanket ban on gang patches and raising the drinking age to 20 are top of the election year wishlist from the Police Association.
IPCA clears officer over fatal shooting
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has found a Taranaki police officer was justified in shooting a man who kidnapped and held a woman hostage for 12 hours.
Report shows fewer children in poverty
A new report shows the number of children living in poverty has declined, a reduction of 25,000, but child advocacy groups are not convinced a corner has been turned.