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Forestry minister Shane Jones with Ngati Hine Forestry Trust chairman Pita Tipene. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

'Mulched': $160k of taxpayers' trees destroyed in bungle

14 Nov, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Government ordered 1.2m pine seedlings - then found it couldn't plant where planned.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Forestry Minister Shane Jones, with former minister Meka Whaitiri, at the ceremony launching a joint venture with Ngati Hine. Photo / John Stone

NEW ZEALAND

Billion Trees bungle: One million seedlings but land unfit

13 Nov, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

The plan was to plant 1.1 million pine trees - then someone looked at the ground.

Jami-Lee Ross has been in the spotlight since the National Party revelations. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Inside story: How it all went wrong for Jami-Lee Ross

1 Nov, 2018 6:25pm
20 minutes to read

David Fisher traces the downfall of a man who seemed born for politics.

NEW ZEALAND

Four words raised alarm: Jami-Lee Ross' text to lover

27 Oct, 2018 6:25pm
6 minutes to read

National's rogue MP sent a four-word text message to his lover which sparked fears.

Botany MP Jami-Lee Ross with former Prime Minister Sir John Key in the 2011 election. Photo / Brett Phibbs

NEW ZEALAND

Jami-Lee Ross text to lover led National to race for help

26 Oct, 2018 5:24am
6 minutes to read

Chain of events challenge blogger's claims of National Party's role on Ross.

National Party leader Simon Bridges, who sought out a controversial blogger over the Jami-Lee Ross affair. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Jami-Lee Ross saga: Why Simon Bridges made call to Whaleoil

24 Oct, 2018 6:00pm
5 minutes to read

National leader Simon Bridges has made a surprising phone call to an old party enemy.

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says the inquiry will look at the way Callaghan Innovation handled its OIA requests. Callaghan Innovation says it welcomes the inquiry. Photo / Paul Taylor

NEW ZEALAND

Lobby group's false names exploit leads to OIA inquiry

24 Oct, 2018 2:28pm
3 minutes to read

Investigation after NZ Herald investigation reveals use of fake names for OIA requests.

Rogue MP Jami-Lee Ross complained to the police about National Party leader Simon Bridges, then released evidence which struggled to support his claims. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Analysis: Jami-Lee Ross and the holes in National's story

19 Oct, 2018 8:04pm
9 minutes to read

There are questions about the Jami-Lee Ross debacle the National Party has not answered.

National Party's Manurewa candidate Katrina Bungard. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

A woman speaks: I was harassed by rogue MP Jami-Lee Ross

18 Oct, 2018 6:00pm
6 minutes to read

Katrina Bungard tells the Herald Ross had harassed her in 2016 and 2017.

Rogue MP Jami-Lee Ross - is there a plan behind his destructive week? Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Inside story: 'Botany Bagman' Jami-Lee Ross and what's next

18 Oct, 2018 5:00am
12 minutes to read

Jami-Lee Ross MP might have a plan to his destructive attacks on his former party.

National Party leader Simon Bridges speaks to media after a caucus meeting at Parliament yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Ross saga: Cathedral Club donor's identity revealed

17 Oct, 2018 11:12am
6 minutes to read

The identity of the secret $10,000 "Cathedral Club" donor is now known.

Businessman Yukin Zhang and National Party leader Simon Bridges, in pictures distributed by rogue MP Jami-Lee Ross. Photo/Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

National put up Chinese millionaire for QB honour list

17 Oct, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

National Party said to be behind Queen's honour for Chinese businessman.

Taxpayers' Union mascot Porky (left) with the lobby group's executive director Jordan Williams during a publicity stunt. Photo / Stephen Parker

NEW ZEALAND

How lobby group was caught using false IDs for information bid

3 Oct, 2018 10:00am
11 minutes to read

Herald investigation finds links between "ghost" identities and Taxpayers' Union.

The video intended to showcase more of the personal side of the senior National MPs may land their Party in copyright hot water. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Was Simon Bridges' carpool karaoke a copyright clanger?

28 Sep, 2018 7:40pm
4 minutes to read

Clip on Simon Bridges' Facebook plays music from industry heavyweights such as Elton John.

NEW ZEALAND

NZSAS inquiry: Public shut out after military, spies appeal

24 Sep, 2018 3:23pm
5 minutes to read

Evidence and testimony at inquiry into NZSAS said to be too sensitive for public airing.

Waipareira Trust chief executive John Tamihere. Photo / Greg Bowker

NEW ZEALAND

John Tamihere: Fix Auckland's housing crisis or I'll run for mayor

22 Sep, 2018 5:30am
6 minutes to read

John Tamihere gives Auckland mayor Phil Goff a deadline over housing.

Defence Minister Ron Mark. Photo / Supplied

NEW ZEALAND

Six cleared in NZDF probe into instructors misbehaving

20 Sep, 2018 3:08pm
3 minutes to read

Investigations into four others ongoing.

Justice Minister Andrew Little - two weeks and nothing to say on bail, parole and sentencing changes. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Big Read: Andrew Little ducks for cover on law changes

19 Sep, 2018 7:30pm
9 minutes to read

Justice Minister Andrew Little's justice reform struggles on law changes.

Every single firing pin of the 2017 procurement of MARS-L rifles had to be replaced. Picture / NZDF

NEW ZEALAND

NZDF's new rifles - all 9040 of them - get firing pin replacements after breakages

19 Sep, 2018 4:24pm
3 minutes to read

All 9040 of NZDF's new rifles get firing pins replaced after the originals break.

Activist Penny Bright at Auckland Hospital where she is battling terminal cancer. Photo / Dean Purcell

NEW ZEALAND

Rates rebel Penny Bright given days to live: 'The words for my gravestone'

6 Sep, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

On the eve of her presumed death, Penny Bright rang to offer a few thoughts.

Suspended Cabinet minister Meka Whaitiri.

NEW ZEALAND

Meka Whaitiri incident came on day of family rift finding

6 Sep, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

The Whaitiri family had been divided over a Tenancy Tribunal case.

Ironing out wrinkles in the justice system has seen 600 fewer inmates in prison in just six months.

NEW ZEALAND

The Great Escape - 600 fewer inmates eases prison crisis

3 Sep, 2018 6:59pm
5 minutes to read

Prison crisis turnaround as prison population drops by 600 inmates.

Labour's Meha Whaitiri when sworn in as Customs Minister.

NEW ZEALAND

McCready lays police complaint against Labour's Meka Whaitiri

1 Sep, 2018 1:30pm
2 minutes to read

McCready has filed a formal complaint of assault with police.

Are you smart enough to be a spy? The SIS wants you.

NEW ZEALAND

Are you smart enough to be a spy? Take the test…

1 Sep, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Our electronic eavesdropping agency is seeking recruits - can you solve these puzzles?

National Party leader Simon Bridges produced an unpublished study which had not been peer reviewed when asked for the evidence underpinning his 'tough on crime' stance. Photo / Peter de Graaf

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Bridges' 'tough on crime proof' — unpublished, not reviewed

30 Aug, 2018 5:53pm
5 minutes to read

Evidence on prisons from National leader Simon Bridges suggests spending money elsewhere.

Te Awanuiārangi Black in 2014. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Anihera Black allegations: Police find no evidence of paedophile ring

30 Aug, 2018 3:30pm
3 minutes to read

The woman who made the serious claims against her dead husband - is refusing to speak.

NEW ZEALAND

Judge: We need shorter sentences, jails without guards and less prison

29 Aug, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Court of Appeal's Justice Stephen Kos has a wish list for criminal justice reform.

Palmer said part of sentencing for drug-related offending was considered to be a sentence which would

NEW ZEALAND

Judge: Show me evidence long sentences stop drug crime

28 Aug, 2018 5:30am
5 minutes to read

A High Court judge asked for evidence longer sentences deterred people from crime.

Corrections minister Kelvin Davis at the government's criminal justice summit. Photo / David Fisher

NEW ZEALAND

Kelvin Davis: I think prisoners should be able to vote

24 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Prisoners who vote are less likely to reoffend, says Corrections minister Kelvin Davis.

Act Party leader David Seymour says legal clash impacting on inmates an

NEW ZEALAND

Three Strikes law glitch should be changed - Act Party

23 Aug, 2018 3:16pm
3 minutes to read

Act Party leader David Seymour speaks on "unintended consequence" of Three Strikes law.

Aka and Tane Pakeha-Heke grew up in a home ravaged by domestic violence but turned the horror into the sweetest sound in tribute to their mother. Photo / David Fisher

NEW ZEALAND

'No more violence': Sons' heartbreaking tribute to mother

22 Aug, 2018 4:59pm
4 minutes to read

They grew up in a home ravaged by domestic violence but turned their horror into tribute.

National Party leader Simon Bridges. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Simon Bridges changes his mind on Three Strikes law

22 Aug, 2018 3:27pm
3 minutes to read

National leader Simon Bridges has shifted on his refusal to consider changes to the law.

Jayne Crothall's daughter Brittany, 3, was murdered in her sleep.

NEW ZEALAND

Mum of murdered 3yo slams 'racist' criminal justice summit

22 Aug, 2018 1:05pm
4 minutes to read

Jayne Crothall stood amid a crowd of around 700 to say she had been attacked over race.

Paremoremo Prison in Auckland. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Dangerous inmates released without going through reintegration programmes

21 Aug, 2018 7:45pm
5 minutes to read

Dangerous inmates are being released with no preparation for the outside world.

Anzac Wallace as the avenging Māori warrior Te Wheke in a still from the 1984 land wars film

NEW ZEALAND

'Where are Māori?: Utu star disrupts criminal justice summit

21 Aug, 2018 6:35pm
2 minutes to read

The outburst disrupted the smooth flow and thrust a spotlight onto Wallace.

Minister of Corrections Kelvin Davis says finding an answer to the high rate of Maori imprisonment will be key to the Government's pledge to reduce the prison population by 30 per cent in 15 years. Photo / Mark Mitchell

NEW ZEALAND

Minister's heartfelt call on Māori imprisonment levels

21 Aug, 2018 2:02pm
5 minutes to read

"The system is broken. It's not working. And our whānau are hurting the most."

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has described prisons as a

NEW ZEALAND

Prisons a 'moral and fiscal failure' PM says

20 Aug, 2018 7:21pm
3 minutes to read

Jacinda Ardern opened the criminal justice summit by slamming NZ's incarceration rate.

'Staff failure' behind series of prison rapes - William Katipa's criminal record is a horror story. Photo / Supplied / Dean Purcell

Big Read: Monster unleashed by Corrections to rape in prison

19 Aug, 2018 11:06am
11 minutes to read

A warning flag removed — and a double-rapist is double-bunked to rape again.

Paremoremo Prison Albany Auckland. The justice system is set for the biggest shake-up it has had in decades. Photo / Doug Sherring

NEW ZEALAND

Big Read: How 'tough on crime' equals votes and bulging prisons

18 Aug, 2018 5:00am
20 minutes to read

Andrew Little's justice reform could fall victim to 'hot button' politics.

Prisoners on second and third strikes have no parole incentive to take courses which may keep them out of prison.

NEW ZEALAND

Fear Three Strikes law raising risk to public

18 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Concerns emerging Three Strikes law is making inmate more dangerous.

The Maori Carbon Foundation: Maru Nihoniho, left, Murray McCuly, Hone Harawira, Sir Mark Solomon, Jevan Goulter and Michelle Boag. Photo / Brett Phibbs

BUSINESS

Plan to unlock fortune trapped in communal Māori land

17 Aug, 2018 5:30am
4 minutes to read

Pitch to owners of marginal land - let us plant your land and split the profits.

NEW ZEALAND

Monster unleashed by Corrections to rape in prison

14 Aug, 2018 6:00am
11 minutes to read

A warning flag removed - and a double-rapist is double-bunked to rape again.

Dame Sian Elias delivering the Sir John Graham Lecture in Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig

NEW ZEALAND

Departing Chief Justice warns of 'civic disorder'

11 Aug, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Dame Sian Elias says the imbalance between Maori and Pasifika needs to be resolved.

NEW ZEALAND

Outgoing Chief Justice's warning

10 Aug, 2018 8:50pm
3 minutes to read

"It is fragile. It is easy to move a strand here and not realise the damage done there."

Recruit training at Waiouru Military Camp.

NEW ZEALAND

Army put CCTV in barracks to protect recruits

5 Aug, 2018 5:30am
4 minutes to read

NZ Army to examine whether recommendations to protect recruits were followed.

Andrew Little said Stefan Molyneux and Lauren Southern

NEW ZEALAND

Andrew Little: 'Sooner alt-right pair leave NZ the better'

4 Aug, 2018 2:42pm
5 minutes to read

A bomb threat was also made over Molyneux and Southern venue cancellation.

A training exercise at the Waiouru Military Camp.

NEW ZEALAND

Exclusive: Rape complainant told she broke rules

4 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Exclusive: Military police told complainant she was in breach of standing orders.

Cate Blanchett is snapped at the closing ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival in May. Photo / Getty Images

NEW ZEALAND

ACC 'sorry' for targeting claimant's travel after Cannes trip

2 Aug, 2018 5:30am
6 minutes to read

Customs handed over nine years of travel data to ACC after a claimant travelled to Cannes.

A 2015 report into NZDF's recruit programmes made specific recommendations about recruit safety, including the rewriting of the order which prohibits personal relationships. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Sex claims rock Army base, top personnel stood down

25 Jul, 2018 12:15pm
4 minutes to read

The sexual contact was said to have happened at The Army Depot where recruits are trained.

The late Awanui Black has been accused of sexually assaulting children. Photo / File

NEW ZEALAND

Shock over Awanui Black abuse allegations impossible to measure

11 Jul, 2018 9:08pm
8 minutes to read

The degree of shock cannot be understood without a measure of the man who stood so tall.

In hindsight, Anihera Zhou Black says the darkness to come was there in the early days. Photo / via Facebook

NEW ZEALAND

Ex-wife reveals dark life with alleged paedophile

11 Jul, 2018 6:01am
8 minutes to read

Anihera Zhou Black has been outspoken about her community leader former husband.

Anihera Zhou Black said 'people in power' had committed immoral acts. Photo / via video

NEW ZEALAND

Politician's paedophile ring goes to 'highest heights'

10 Jul, 2018 6:10am
7 minutes to read

Widow alleges her former husband engaged in orgies, group sex.

Awanui Black, community leader and political candidate, died in 2016.

NEW ZEALAND

Widow outs paedophile politician: Louise Nicholas urges victims to speak up

9 Jul, 2018 8:11pm
4 minutes to read

Shock over paedophile allegations and calls for police to investigate.

School's out - only one prosecution took place last year of a parent failing to get their child to school.

NEW ZEALAND

Mum found guilty over failure to get kids to class

9 Jul, 2018 3:14pm
5 minutes to read

She said her children were too sick for school - the school took her to court.

NEW ZEALAND

Politician's paedophile ring goes to 'highest heights'

9 Jul, 2018 7:25am
7 minutes to read

Widow alleges her former husband engaged in orgies, group sex.

NEW ZEALAND

NZDF buys Minister's book but says it's 'terrible'

9 Jul, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Colonel says minister should be more careful about the publications he publicly backs.

Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth McVicar is stepping down from the organisation. Photo / Duncan Brown

NEW ZEALAND

Sensible Sentencing Trust founder resigns

5 Jul, 2018 1:01pm
5 minutes to read

Garth McVicar steps down. Sensible Sentencing Trust to be led by new management committee.

Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Cheryl Gwyn.

NEW ZEALAND

Official: New Zealand's spying on the Pacific confirmed

4 Jul, 2018 12:01pm
6 minutes to read

A new report gives unprecedented detail of New Zealand's electronic spying activities.

Empire Capital's Simon Herbert says marina development will improve public access and use.

NEW ZEALAND

Marinas will improve public access, says developer

2 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The man behind the marina buy-up says public access will improve - not get worse.

Empire Capital's Simon Herbert has plans for developments at three of Auckland's marinas.

BUSINESS

'City of Sales' claim as Auckland Council hocks off marina land

29 Jun, 2018 5:00am
8 minutes to read

There's a citizens' revolt over Auckland Council selling marina land.

Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth McVicar says he

NEW ZEALAND

An inquiry, a sacking and the 'keep our mouths shut' email

24 Jun, 2018 5:30am
8 minutes to read

The Sensible Sentencing Trust says it 'failed dismally' in handling board member's exit.

Justice minister Andrew Little has fired a broadside at Sensible Sentencing Trust leaders -

NEW ZEALAND

Little: Sensible Sentencing Trust leaders 'loopy' and 'callous'

22 Jun, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

A key player in pushing for harsher criminal punishment has been sidelined.