Ben Strang
Christchurch mosque attacks: Former head of firearms control on licence vetting
A former head of firearms control at the police says those vetting the man behind the Christchurch mosque shootings should have been concerned when he couldn't provide a reference who knew him when… Audio
Government not yet considering new laws to tackle hate crime
The government isn't yet considering new laws to tackle hate crime, despite clamour from the police association and justice advocates.
While broader hate speech legislation is expected to be… Audio
Porirua suburb cleans-up after flash flood
A major clean up is underway in the Porirua suburb of Plimmerton north of Wellington after dozens of houses were flooded on Sunday morning. The combination of a high tide and a torrential downpour led… Audio
Basin Reserve to become gender neutral for Cricket World Cup
Five cricket grounds are getting a face lift to make the players' areas gender neutral, in time for the 2022 women's Cricket World Cup. The Basin Reserve in Wellington is the first to undergo the… Video, Audio
America's Cup offers police four new boats
The America's Cup organisers have offered police four new boats to help them patrol the races on the Waitemata harbour.
The event is early next year and the police are in charge of national security… Audio
Referendum results reactions
At 2pm today the preliminary results of the two referendums held at the general election were released. Jesse spoke to sector groups who lobbied both for and against both referendums. Audio
Cannabis referendum results expected this afternoon
The electoral commission will release the provisional results of the two referendums voted on during the general election at 2pm on Friday.
Polling told different stories before the election.
The… Audio
Police officer shot at in Northland
A police officer has been shot at early this morning in Northland.
The officer was uninjured but the police are still trying to find the offenders.
Reporter Ben Strang speaks to Susie Ferguson. Audio
20 years too young say anti-cannabis campaigners
Anti-cannabis campaigners say slapping a 20-year-old-age limit on buying weed won't stop the drug from harming young people. Studies show marijuana can halt motivation for young people, even leading… Audio
NZ Medical Association back tracks on legal cannabis stance
The Medical Association has back tracked on its stance opposing the cannabis referendum, and apologised to doctors who feel they were misrepresented.
It now says it isn't taking a position on the… Audio
Grey Power accused of undemocratic stance on cannabis
Grey Power has been accused of taking an undemocratic stance in opposing cannabis legalisation.
But the organisation's president says that's not the case, and the yes voters within the associations… Audio
Cannabis convictions haunting some Kiwis decades later
Disclosing historical minor cannabis convictions has led some people to the brink of losing their homes.
Others have missed out on jobs, have problems travelling overseas, or been the subject of over… Audio
Kiwi with cannabis convictions still impacted decades later
A social worker has described the impact a cannabis conviction can have, including leading people to the brink of losing their home.
Kerry Howe got a cannabis conviction, her only conviction, 27… Audio
Cannabis convictions hinder travel for years
A 62 year old union worker with decades old convictions for possessing cannabis has described how she still gets pulled aside by Customs every time she leaves the country. Sheryl Cadman backs… Audio
Medical Association did not consult members on cannabis stance
The Medical Association did not consult with members before taking it's stance opposing cannabis legalisation.
It's confirmed what doctors have been telling RNZ, including members of the… Audio
NZMA chair says cannabis stance not view of all members
The Medical Association did not consult with its members before announcing its opposition to the cannabis referendum.
Its chair, Dr Kate Baddock, says the anti legalisation stance is the view of the… Audio
Police outline plans to combat bullying
The police have anounced plans to combat bullying and harassment, following a damning external review earlier this year.
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The report by consultant Debbie Francis followed an… Audio
Police considered charging Black Lives Matter march organisers
Police thought about charging organisers of the Black Lives Matter marches in June because Covid-19 restrictions weren't followed.
A subsequent briefing to the police minister said the consideration… Audio
NZ police want greater powers for dealing with terrorism
The police want greater powers for dealing with terrorism, more in line with the United Kingdom's prevention model.
Senior officers joined Police Minister Stuart Nash in a meeting with the head of… Audio
Caution needed over rush to enhance police powers
Caution is being called over any rush to enhance police powers related to suspected terrorism. Authorities here are eyeing Britain's legal framework which, among other things, grants power to arrest… Audio