Tim Watkin

The key witness to a deadly prison beating was told by police they would "play dirty" if he didn't cooperate.

Two former guards say a prisoner confessed to them that Ross Appelgren wasn't guilty of a deadly prison beating - because he had ordered the attack himself.

A former police commissioner claims he's never seen the letter supposedly sent by him in 1985.

"You don't say, 'hey, look, if you give the evidence, you're going to be released at the earliest opportunity'. That's fairytale stuff," says one former detective.

The key witness to a deadly prison beating was told in his first meeting with the lead detective that he was considered either a witness or a suspect.

The key witness in the Crown's case against Ross Appelgren insists "there was no deal" made for his evidence.

"It can't just slip behind a desk or a cabinet somewhere," says investigator Tim McKinnel. "Somebody has moved it." Audio

One of journalism's most repeated purposes is to give voice to the voiceless. But what if the person speaking up has died while waiting to tell their story?

When Robert Ogier reached Darcy Te Hira's body, one thing stood out to him, and he's never forgotten it.

Ross Appelgren was accused of beating a fellow prisoner to death in 1985 - but his wife and legal team say fresh evidence will prove he was innocent. Audio

Analysis: The former prime minister was never afraid of expressing his opinion, even when facing brutal polling and stormy political seas, but he was skilled at picking his fights. Audio

Analysis - At the heart of the election and the polls is generations of social and economic change that has left too many people behind, writes Tim Watkin.

A new RNZ podcast tours the motu, looking at the stories behind Māori place names - the origins, the people, and how names have changed over the years.

Analysis - Anyone closely following US politics will not be surprised that the violent rhetoric has been upgraded to an assassination attempt on a candidate, writes Tim Watkin.

Analysis - Americans are losing faith in the president's ability to serve another four years, writes Tim Watkin.

Analysis - Both US presidential candidates reached for ridiculous claims and insults and struggled to answer questions coherently, Tim Watkin writes.

Analysis - With the centre-right back in charge, it's not so much the axe being swung as the pendulum, Tim Watkin writes.

Analysis - History is a living thing. But there are many eager to get out their chisels and carve our history into stone, Tim Watkin writes.

Analysis: In Seymour's state of the nation speech, he reminded New Zealand of the insightful political mind behind the political persona we've seen through the Covid years.

The independent panel investigating inappropriate editing of online RNZ stories has found one digital journalist was responsible, but problems with newsroom structure, editorial systems and culture…

Analysis - After a 2022 Budget that played to Labour's base, this year's effort was essentially an inflation-driven budget that many more right-leaning parties would have been happy to deliver, Tim…

Meka Whaitiri has insulted constituents and created a constitutional 'cluster' with her sudden and barely explained defection to Te Pāti Māori, writes Tim Watkin.

Analysis - When is a cabinet minister not a cabinet minister? The faulty logic of Stuart Nash has landed him and Labour in a heap of trouble but opened the door to serious reform of the Official…

Analysis - The choices he makes this week will have a huge impact on what happens in October, when we go to the polls, Tim Watkin writes.

Analysis - Jacinda Ardern's announcement today that she is stepping down as prime minister could hardly have been more rapid or more of a surprise, Tim Watkin writes.