Carla Penman
Top Stories for Tuesday 17 February 2015
NZ commitment to Iraq a foregone conclusion; Labour continues to oppose NZ involvement in anti-IS coalition; Defence chief to attend anti Islamic State coaltion talks; New Zealander's drug smuggling… Audio
Auckland's killer level crossings set to get riskier
The increased number of trains planned for Auckland's rail network is stirring up concern from lobbyists, who say the city's killer level crossings will become more hazardous than ever. Audio
Auschwitz commemoration marked in New Zealand
Today marks 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, where 1.1 million people were murdered by the German Nazi regime. Audio
Race relations commissioner slams remarks
The Race Relations Commissioner says comments by the SPCA suggesting a link between dog attacks and an owner's ethnicity are incredibly offensive. Audio
No evidence owner ethnicity a factor in dog attacks
The Veterinary Association says there's no evidence to suggest the ethnicity of dog owners has anything to do with dog attacks in Auckland. Audio
Zero tolerance on speed message confusing
Road safety advocates say the police's poor handling of its summer speed campaign should not stop them from cracking down on drivers who exceed the limit. Audio
Technology remains NZ's most sought after present this Christmas
The most sought after gift this Christmas is - not surprisingly - the latest piece of technology. Audio
Auckland City Mission and Sallies desperate
Two charities say they are struggling to meet this year's funding targets and are worried some families will go without a decent meal or a gift this Christmas. Audio
Man cleared of using mother-in-law as drugs mule
A man accused of using his mother-in-law-of as drug mule has walked free in a case that helps set a precedent over the grounds for charging someone with manslaughter. Audio
Police failed to properly investigate senior officer
The police in Northland have admitted failing to properly investigate one of their senior detectives who's today been jailed for stealing drugs from a police locker and passing them onto a dealer. Audio
Organiser of cocaine smuggling operation facing retrial
A man who's accused of organising a cocaine smuggling operation which cost the life of his mother-in-law, is being re-tried at the High Court in Auckland. Audio
Auckland cop jailed for 8+ years for bribery and corruption
A West Auckland police officer once described as "exceptional" has been jailed for eight years, four months for accepting a cash bribe, corruption and supplying Class A drugs. Audio
Triple-stabbing in Albany yesterday
One woman is dead and two others in hospital after a triple-stabbing in Albany yesterday - this on the eve of the release of the final report from the Glenn Inquiry into child abuse and domestic… Audio
Auckland man sentenced on gambling spree
An Auckland man has been sentenced for using more than 100-thousand dollars accidentally transferred into his bank account to go on a gambling spree. Audio
Auckland Council unveils options
A facelift for the Auckland Council's former headquarters could cost ratepayers almost 80 million dollars. Audio
Defence Force handling of job cuts "absolute shambles"
The Defence Force has delayed a planned staff restructuring, leaving a union to describe the process as 'shambolic'. Audio
Singapore govt buys into Auckland waterfront
Singapore's superannuation fund is investing millions into Auckland's waterfront. Audio
A prank that went too far
Six senior students at an elite Auckland school have been suspended for ridiculing and terrorising a trio of junior students. Audio
Online donations under scutiny
People are being warned to think twice about making online donations, with a fundraising website linked to fraud allegations. Audio
Jojo's father says lawyer told Police about missing daughter
The father of a dead toddler who he relentlessly searched for, over seven years, claims the police were told about the dissapperance many years before they say they knew. Audio