News
Spy partners' focus dictated lack of Far Right intelligence, GCSB boss says
International priorities dictated a gaping hole in the collection of far-right intelligence reports, according to the lead communications spy agency.
'Atrocious' that issues around informed consent still exist
The rules around how hospitals get permission to operate on patients have been slightly strengthened, but women's health advocates say there are still concerns.
Auckland Harbour Bridge contamination: The letter residents weren't sent
Transport officials planned to ask residents living near the Auckland Harbour Bridge if their properties could be tested for heavy metals, without telling them contamination had already been found…
Public transport advocates seek judicial review of road building decisions
Public transport advocates are taking legal action over what they say is road building that encourages too much travel by car.
Intelligence agencies' failures highlighted but no accountability sought
Several key security and intelligence agencies failed to do their counter-terrorism job well, or at all, but there remains no way of holding them to account.
Need for better detectives than counter-terrorism agency - security expert
A security expert warns that creating a new counter-terrorism agency might just add to the confusion.
Police using technology riddled with controversy overseas
High-tech investigative tools being imported by the police are attracting controversy overseas.
'Regulation gap' for facial recognition technology, law expert says
The government now has the infrastructure for mass or targeted surveillance using facial recognition technology, a study says, and a law professor warns of a "regulation gap".
WorkSafe failed to record death of second child in Desert Road crash
Workplace safety investigators looking into a Desert Road double-fatality smash failed to record months later that a baby boy died alongside his preschool brother, even as they reactivated an inquiry…
Restrictions stymie re-use of industrial-purpose plastic bags
A big user of industrial-size plastic bags has found a way to re-use them, helping stem the dumping of thousands of bags each year into landfills.
Carillon tower review: Quake assessment leaves risks unresolved
Basic questions like how the foundations of the Carillon bell tower in Wellington will perform in a major earthquake are not known despite years spent trying to fix it, a review shows.
Family question absence of health and safety probe over death
A Mid-Canterbury family is demanding to know why there was no health and safety investigation into the truck crash that killed their daughter.
Biometric ID systems in prisons, but no facial recognition - Corrections
The prisons department has spent at least $800,000 on biometric identification systems since 2016, but admits it does not keep close track of spending.
Review into likelihood of health risks at properties near Harbour Bridge
The Transport Agency has launched an external review into contamination with heavy metals and hydrocarbons beside the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Complaint lodged as hundreds facing compliance issue
Hundreds of Wairarapa property owners have been warned the final sign-off for building work they have completed is years overdue.
'My insides are mush' - Man claims he became ill after working at 'contaminant hotspot'
A man who became ill after working for the Auckland Council in a contaminated area disputes the council's claim it did all it could to address his concerns.
Waikato dump fire: Equipment to fight it was sabotaged - owner
A long-lasting underground fire at a Waikato dump was arson, made worse by the sabotage of earthmoving equipment used to fight it, claims the dump's owner.
Getting ministry to rebuild school block was a 'tricky road'
A Christchurch school that won a rebuild is confident it is on the right track after years of struggling with the Ministry of Education.
Why WorkSafe didn't investigate fatal Ruapehu bus crash
The workplace safety watchdog chose not to investigate the fatal Ruapehu bus crash under health and safety laws even though there was no one else who could do the job.
Christchurch Girls' High building set for quake rebuild as ministry backflips
Christchurch Girls' High School will get a new main block after five years of trying to strengthen the existing one.
$900m motorway at 'high' to 'extreme' threat of landslip - report
A "high" to "extreme threat" of landslides has been identified at the $900m upgrade of State Highway 1 north of Auckland, and blamed on Covid-19.
Burning landfill owner given deadline for action
The owner of a Waikato rubbish dump that has been on fire for months has been ordered to put a dirt cap on it.
Plan to close Lower Hutt rest home at centre of complaints
A proposal to close a Lower Hutt rest home is not linked to an investigation into alleged abuse and neglect at the facility, says Masonic Villages Trust chief executive Warick Dunn.
Audit reveals new tech tools in police's digital armoury
A police stocktake triggered by a controversial trial of facial recognition technology has revealed what law enforcement is adding to its digital armoury.
Waikato dump fire burning since August: Locals report health problems
A long-burning, foul-smelling underground fire at a Waikato rubbish dump has forced the creation of a rare multi-agency group.