Phil Pennington

Top officials were kept in the dark about a bungled $40 million Oranga Tamariki project to expand services to children who are victims of sexual abuse.

The Government says what went on is an… Audio

Charges have been dropped against two major contractors over unsafe roadworks where a young cyclist was killed in Christchurch. McConnell Dowell Constructors and Downer New Zealand have instead made… Audio

Changes to a $60m programme to help sexually abused children have been badly mismanaged by Oranga Tamariki. A review released to RNZ shows its team doing the work to fill glaring gaps in services was… Audio

Newly-released documents show the LynnMall knife attacker Ahamed Samsudeen was assaulted twice in prison. They also show he was blamed for starting a third fight. The 32-year-old was shot dead by… Audio

Wellington Hospital has to move its Emergency Department because its structure might fail in a quake. There are also issues at Hawke's Bay Hospital. They are the latest shaky hospitals juggling… Audio

The size of the country's car fleet is heading the wrong way in the race to reduce emissions - vehicles are getting heavier which means burning more fuel.

Safety ratings which favour bigger cars are… Audio

A man accused of child abuse says it's a 'lottery' if a family gets a proper investigation by Oranga Tamariki.

The children's ministry has admitted to shortcomings in following its own inquiry… Audio

Oranga Tamariki's mishandling of a case of a boy alleging abuse has revealed widespread shortcomings in its use of one of the most important child safety tools.

Reviews showing up problems with the… Audio

A new $300 million plan for Auckland cycleways ran into strong headwinds today.

Some councillors believe the plan could make Auckland the next best thing to Copenhagen, but others believe it swallows… Audio

If you walk, bike or ride a motorbike or scooter in Auckland you are at more risk of injury or death than in major cities in Europe.

That finding is triggering plans for lower speed limits, higher… Audio

A Christchurch car dealer says mistakes with emissions data in the Clean Car Scheme have cost him $100,000 and counting.

Others say the problems are skittling some deals for car buyers, propelling… Audio

An overhaul of the Holidays Act has thrown up a new, curly problem that could cost employers.

Officials are belatedly advising that employers are liable for public holiday pay for a worker on ACC.

… Audio

The Transport Agency is taking over nearly all the country's bitumen supply vital to road building because it believes it is being ripped off by suppliers.

Documents show the agency warning that if… Audio

SIS assessments of the LynnMall stabber show very early on they were calling him a terrorist and would-be martyr.

A criminologist and leading Muslims say this helped radicalise Ahamed Aathill… Audio

Car dealers are worried they will have to pay the bill for errors in the Clean Car scheme that could cost buyers hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

They say the fees or rebates the system… Audio

Two youth organisations have pulled out of a $2 million Oranga Tamariki campaign calling it a box-ticking exercise which risks exploiting young people.

Despite their withdrawal the children's… Audio

The shutdown of Marsden Point oil refinery is causing ructions in the intensely-under-pressure road building industry.

Z Energy is accusing the Transport Agency of effectively forcing it to quit… Audio

After an initial blip, the removal of children by Oranga Tamariki has reduced significantly.

Children's minister Kelvin Davis gave the guarantee last September at the release of one of several… Audio

'No' to a clampdown on helipads. 'Yes' to a first-up study to see if choppers are breaking the rules.

That 's what Auckland Council planners are proposing on the eve of a key meeting amid whirling… Audio

Are contractors and consultants manipulating the public health system, doing a poor job or charging over the odds?

Alarm bells are ringing over such a lack of checks and balances that it is… Audio