Stories by Phil Pennington
News
NZ experts play down China trade warning over steel
China's warning that a New Zealand government investigation into steel dumping will risk trade should not be seen as a threat, New Zealand experts say.
NZ to investigate Chinese steel
New Zealand has launched an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese steel.
Union wants more fisheries jobs to go to New Zealanders
A union is calling on MPI to overhaul the fishing industry so that three quarters of jobs go to New Zealanders. But Seafood New Zealand says they already do.
Autistic boy says arm was twisted by school staff member
A police report into a special needs school that used a seclusion room details how one child said his arm was twisted 25 times.
Only four fish dumping prosecutions since 2009
The Ministry for Primary Industries has brought just four successful fish-dumping prosecutions since 2009, newly released information shows.
Call for clarity after $700k school trip to Hawaii
The rules around using public money to fund students' overseas travel need to be clarified, says the principal of the Rotorua school that went on a $700,000 trip to Hawaii.
Mt Eden prison guards put up in 4 1/2-star hotel
The Corrections Department has paid about $2 million for hotel rooms for extra guards it needs at Mt Eden prison.
Choppers forgot most vulnerable, say cut-off farmers
People ignored by choppers following the Kaikōura earthquake are warning the same thing will happen in the next disaster unless Civil Defence improves.
Family of prisoner who died complains to IPCA over investigation
The family of a prisoner whose death helped spark the Mt Eden Prison fight club inquiry says a new report raises disturbing questions.
Cut-off Clarence River families feeling left out
A Clarence River woman is writing to authorities claiming the residents of the valley north of Kaikōura have been forgotten after the mid-November earthquake.
Clarence River cookbook shares recipes for recovery
A Clarence River rafting guide has launched a cookbook sharing local stories from before and after the area was rocked by last month's earthquake. Audio
Labour slams govt over steel mesh charges
The prosecution of three steel companies shows the government has been negligent in monitoring building product quality, the Labour Party says.
Tough summer looms for Kaikōura campgrounds and motels
Hundreds in Kaikōura whose livelihoods rely on tourists are facing a tough summer, with holidaymakers cancelling bookings at an alarming rate.
Landslide dams watched closely for flood risk
Scientists are checking every few days on 11 landslide dams in Kaikōura and Marlborough that may breach. Audio
Corrections to face legal action over assault footage
The Office of Human Rights Proceedings will take legal action after CCTV footage was not given to a prisoner who was attacked in Mt Eden prison, leaving him with brain damage.
Claims children hit, force fed at special needs school
A teacher has been suspended and a teacher aide has resigned at a special needs school in Dunedin amid claims of children being abused.
Investigator questions Corrections' story on prison attack video
An investigation suggests Corrections lied in its attempts to stop video footage being given to the victim of a prison attack wanting to sue the department.
Farmer makes 15-hour cross-country trek to find family
Kaikoura man Kevin Keehan travelled by truck, tractor and helicopter on a cross-country trek to find his family after the earthquake.
Corrections sat on fight clubs investigation
Corrections sat on a finding that there were fight clubs at Mt Eden prison for a year, partly because the National Commissioner's doubted he could make Serco do anything about it, a report shows.
Action demanded over NZer's $A2886 deportation bill
A man deported from Australia has been presented with a $A2886 bill despite assurances that people would not have to pay the costs of being sent back to New Zealand.
Officials in the dark over key figure at IANZ
The Qualifications Authority did not know a man with a history of mistreating migrants was a key figure at a failed private international academy, despite a two year investigation.
Indian Fraudster hands over NZ immigration licence
The Indian immigration agent who got a New Zealand licence despite being on a list of fraudsters has now surrendered his licence.
Manager of failed college told us to lie - migrant
The marketing manager at a failed Auckland private college was accused of telling a witness in the country's first human trafficking trial to lie to authorities, court documents show.
Marketing manager of IANZ had previous disputes wtih migrants
The marketing manager at an Auckland training college being investigated by the Crown solicitor had a record of disputes with migrants over employment issues.
$14 million spent monitoring released high-risk criminals
Round the clock monitoring and housing of the country's highest-risk criminals has cost $14 million over the past five years, new figures have revealed.