Phil Pennington

A plumbing investigator says tradespeople who raise the alarm about defective work but carry on doing it, carry the can.

The national hospital stocktake has exposed flaws in the Ministry of Health's vision of a future - in 2026 - where artificial intelligence machines keep tabs on people's health through "smart" home… Video, Audio

Consulting engineers say some government agencies are insisting that if firms cut staff pay to survive, they pass these cuts on as a cost saving on public projects. Audio

Earthquake assessments in the national stocktake of hospital buildings have failed to use the most up-to-date engineering guidelines.

A government ministry was warned in 2011 by engineers the bell frame in the National War Memorial Carillon could fail in an earthquake.

A main tower block at Nelson Hospital and the special care baby unit at Waitākere Hospital are in the worst condition of any hospital buildings in New Zealand, a nationwide hospital stocktake shows.

The closest ever look at the country's hospitals reveals many intensive care units, operating theatres and emergency departments are in "poor or very poor" shape. Audio

A new stocktake of the country's hospital facilities shows IT systems so old they will run out of technical support and the need for $14b in upgrades to buildings.

Accounting software provider MYOB has found problems with seven of its payroll systems, prompting it to ask businesses to check if they've underpaid employees.

An investigation into the safety of earthquake bracing used to anchor ceilings in schools, hospitals, and supermarkets is being hamstrung by weak regulations.

The National War Memorial Carillon in central Wellington has been rated at just 15 percent of the earthquake code.

The Transport Agency has refused to release an inquiry into potential conflicts of interest over high-tech contracts.

The Health Ministry says the 2020 Budget has not delivered any "additional sustainable" funding to bolster the country's public health units.

The number of doctors in public health units confronting the pandemic is in crisis, but there is no sign of a plan to fix this.

A consortium of disability groups bidding for a $32 million public contract has lost out to an American call centre operator.

The Minister for Disabilities will not say if the Health Ministry has breached government guidelines with its Covid-19 contact tracing app.

Experts in technology for the blind and people with low vision are slamming the government for releasing a contact tracing app they can't use.

Having a "train wreck" of a building at Christchurch hospital will be on government ministers' heads if they accept the DHB's decision, a dissenting board member says.

The Ministry of Health says it had align the app with other government approaches, get Cabinet approval and ensure privacy before launching the app.

Canterbury DHB has revealed it asked for $438m to rebuild its strained hospital but has had no choice but to settle for a third of that.

New figures show the government spent almost $1 billion on contractors and consultants last year.

Tech developers whose ideas are behind the government's contact tracing app had to wait weeks to see action. One of them says the app put out is "insufficient" for businesses' needs.

Christchurch Hospital is pushing ahead with a new $150m medical tower block despite its own doctors pleading that it's far too small.

One of the most common symptoms of Covid 19 - a sore throat - is not listed on the card everyone must fill in before being allowed into the country.

An official report estimates allowing cycling on footpaths could lead to one death and 17 serious injuries a year but still have a $10 million upside.