Stories by Phil Pennington
News
The first government agency to trial generative AI
ACC is first out of the blocks, and the work is "of great interest across the other government departments".
The space rocket thrusters being built in a Lower Hutt shed
One of the coldest, hottest, and most powerful superconductor electric rocket thrusters ever to be tested in space is being built at the bottom of Wainuiomata Hill. Audio
Police staff have unauthorised access to 'stalkerware by design'
Police staff have had unauthorised access to an online facial recognition website which has been described by critics as "stalkerware by design".
Australian company changes building consent software after muscling into market
An Australian company fined more than a million dollars for muscling into the market for software that processes building consents is making IT changes that could push up consenting fees in many…
Te Whatu Ora spent $85m on tech now deemed 'unachievable'
A project to replace a system that dishes out $12 billion of health payments every year is in trouble. Audio
Making a hash of it: The lowdown on Inland Revenue and your data
Analysis - Inland Revenue is giving taxpayers' encrypted data to Facebook - but just how good is the encryption?
Revealed: Police used facial recognition 89 times since 2022
The news comes despite a new policy forbidding live use except in rare situations where there is an immediate risk to life.
Is NZ intelligence helping Israel wage war in Gaza? Lawyers call for inquiry
In a letter to the inspector-general of intelligence and security, they said the country was in danger of aiding international crimes.
Private group cleared to use cameras to identify plates on Transmission Gully
A private consortium has been given the green light to run motorway cameras to identify drivers' number plates and vehicle type to uphold a commercial contract. Audio
One person working on short-term fixes to NZ's disaster coordination system
The National Emergency Management Agency has just one person dedicated to working on a short-term fix of the disaster coordination system that let people down during Cyclone Gabrielle.
IRD data sharing: Safety of anonymising detail to be examined
Inland Revenue has confirmed it will look into the safety of how it anonymises the taxpayers' details it provides to Facebook and other social media platforms.
Thousands of taxpayers' details given to Facebook for ads
Inland Revenue is giving hundreds of thousands of taxpayers' details to social media platforms for marketing. Audio
Is New Zealand ready for the next big space race?
Analysis - Space has rapidly become more hostile for geopolitical reasons, but what are the threats, and what is New Zealand doing to assess them?
Fire and Emergency runs out of money for lifesaving gas monitors
It has equipped 51 of NZ's busiest fire stations so far, but lacks funding for another 49. Audio
NZDF helps train Japanese military to monitor satellites
The New Zealand Defence Force is helping the United States to train the Japanese military to monitor satellites.
Police put off decision on body cameras until next June
Police will not reconsider whether to put body-worn cameras on frontline officers for at least another 10 months.
Strict laws control space launches from New Zealand - Rocket Lab
It follows criticism from a security expect who says launches that support US military aims have not been questioned enough.
Documents reveal what joining Aukus could mean for NZ
A briefing to ministers shows defence officials have been zeroing in on what joining pillar two might mean for New Zealand.
MSD bans 'deceptive and underhanded' use of fake social media profiles
RNZ inquiries have revealed the ministry secretly used the fake profiles for years, before suspending the practice in 2021 when Parliament was asked about it.
Government warned 'young serious offenders' could be glorified
The government has been warned its moves on youth crime could lead to teenagers glorifying the "young serious offender" category it is setting up. Audio
Public-private partnership for NZDF housing no different in cost than usual approach - officials
The rundown NZDF housing estate needs billions spent on it, but the main project has not secured any government funding despite plans dating back to 2017.
Te Whatu Ora diverts digital upgrade funding to payroll system
A payroll emergency took precedence over the long-term fix for the digital and data system.
American company announces deal to fly to space from Canterbury
The first of several test flights is set for November from the new runway in Kaitorete Spit.
No customers sign up for NZ's new spaceport
The fledgling national aerospace centre is in strife after failing to attract investors, underspending its budget and not making enough return on investment. Audio
Staffing forces hospital department shutdown a day before Minister's visit
A staffing shortage forced a hospital scanning department to shut down for two and a half hours just a day before the Minister of Health turned up at it, to announce faster scanning.