New ZealandSeclusion rooms: 8 in special schoolsEducation Minister Hekia Parata revealed that 8 of the 64 special schools in New Zealand are using a seclusion room.19 Oct 11:44 PM
New ZealandSeclusion rooms to be investigatedThe Chief Ombudsman will investigate the use of seclusion rooms in schools, following reports that locked "time out" rooms had been used to restrain children.13 Oct 11:58 PM
New ZealandCalls for inquiry into 'time out' roomsAn independent inquiry should immediately investigate the use of "time out" rooms in schools, says the head of the national Autism charity.11 Oct 04:41 AM
New ZealandAnger over 'time-out' room revelationsAngry parents say they will pull their children from a Wellington school caught using a "time-out" room for naughty pupils unless there is more accountability.10 Oct 03:09 AM
Banking and financePossessions lost in mortgagee saleA bank has been told to pay a woman more than $13,000 after she lost not only her home in a mortgagee sale but items including family pictures.08 Oct 11:30 PM
New ZealandSchool locks 11-year-old in 'dark cell'EXCLUSIVE: Mother hits out at Wellington primary school's "dirty little secret": "I'm horrified a school would do that, my son is petrified of the dark."07 Oct 05:10 PM
New ZealandFamily 'dismayed' over Ashley Peacock proposalHealth authorities are considering plans to move mental health patient Ashley Peacock, to the dismay of his parents.29 Sep 05:00 AM
New ZealandAniwaniwa demolition slammedLeading architect and designer Chris Moller has slammed the decision to demolish the Aniwaniwa Visitors' Centre at Lake Waikaremoana28 Sep 04:50 PM
New ZealandPetition for Ashley gathers supportA petition for an autistic man held in an isolated wing of a mental health unit has garnered more than 2000 signatures in a day.18 Jul 05:30 PM
New ZealandFamily of autistic man launch petitionThe family of an autistic man held in an isolated wing of a mental health unit have launched a petition calling for the minister of health to intervene in his case.17 Jul 05:30 PM
New ZealandOmbudsman criticises Rebstock over MFat inquiryA long fight, but worth it, says cleared diplomat.22 Jun 09:42 PM
New ZealandCivil case an option for Ashley's familyA leading human rights lawyer says the door is now "wide open" for Ashley Peacock to take health authorities to court19 Jun 04:08 AM
New Zealand'Cruel, inhuman': Ashley's living situationAssociate health minister Sam Lotu-Iiga has been assured Ashley Peacock is 'being cared for in the best way possible'.17 Jun 05:30 PM
EditorialEditorial: Ombudsman badly needs health checkFor the past year, the Office of the Ombudsman has been reviewing the Official Information Act.09 Dec 04:00 PM
New ZealandOmbudsman struggling with workloadA key Government watchdog is struggling to keep up with its oversight workload.18 Oct 11:11 PM
Banking and financeBaptism of fire for Bank OmbudsmanIn Deborah Battell's first year as Banking Ombudsman there were 1888 formal complaints - a 99 per cent rise.17 Jul 05:00 PM
New ZealandGovernment offices selected for OIA reviewThe Chief Ombudsman says a major review of the Official Information Act will scrutinise all 27 government ministers' offices.16 Dec 01:11 AM
New ZealandPR staff numbers up despite promisesThe number of spin doctors and communications staff in government departments is on the increase again even after National swore to rein in the numbers.05 Dec 04:00 PM
New ZealandMinisterial offices to face probeThe Chief Ombudsman will launch an investigation into the way the Official Information Act is being used - and it'll include a probe into Ministers' offices.26 Aug 11:27 PM
New ZealandDHB deleted public recordsThe national organ donation service at the Auckland DHB has been put on notice by an official-information watchdog after it was caught out deleting public records.21 Jul 02:25 AM
New ZealandNo police coercion on confession: IPCAPolice did not coerce Joyce Conwell to confess to the shotgun murder of Alec Rodgers in Christchurch in 1999, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has ruled.20 May 12:26 AM
Banking and financePIN scam victim loses $6000A woman has lost $6000 when she was tricked into disclosing her eftpos PIN number by a scammer.13 May 02:48 AM
New ZealandEvidence against DotcomA detailed account of the evidence against Kim Dotcom has been released by the FBI to allow so-called victims of alleged piracy to claim against his seized fortune.20 Dec 11:38 PM
New ZealandCustoms won't front on 'brownie points'Customs has refused to answer questions about an email asking staff to send information on Kim Dotcom to the FBI in exchange for "brownie points".19 Dec 11:20 PM
New ZealandEQC slammed by govt watchdogsA joint report by the Chief Ombudsman and the Privacy Commission is scathing of how EQC has dragged its feet over information requests from quake homeowners.19 Dec 02:20 AM
Banking and financeOmbudsman fields gripes over banks' behaviourThe banking ombudsman has had 10 complaints about the loan-to-value-ratio (LVR) changes introduced on October 1, with eight related to banks withdrawing prior approvals.30 Oct 04:30 PM
New ZealandKaipara chief's $240k golden handshakeFormer Kaipara District Council chief executive Jack McKerchar received severance payments totalling $240,000 when he quit.21 Aug 12:50 AM
