Stories by Benedict Collins
News
Concern over timing of West Coast 1080 drop
DOC and health officials have moved to reassure the public that 1080 poison drops on the West Coast are being done safely and are within the rules. Video
MPI tried to rig fishing monitoring contract - Labour
The Ministry for Primary Industries has been accused of attempting to rig a contract to electronically monitor the fishing industry.
Treaty settlement delay accusation 'balderdash' - NZ First
New Zealand First is being blamed for delaying five Treaty of Waitangi settlement bills but its leader, Winston Peters, says that's "balderdash". Audio
Deputy PM to take over Kermadec negotiations
The Deputy PM has taken over from the Environment Minister in talks with the Māori Party and Te Ohu Kaimoana over the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary.
Soldiers in Malaysia: 'It's time to bring them home'
MPs have vowed to do everything they can to bring the remains of soldiers killed in South East Asia back to New Zealand, following emotional pleas from their families.
Crackdown on bad drivers found to go too far
A government bill cracking down on bad driving is unreasonable and gives too much power to the police, the Attorney-General says.
Homeless waiting twice as long for state housing - Labour
It's now taking the government twice as long to find accommodation for homeless people as it was six months ago, the Labour Party says. Video, Audio
Protesters at sea will be treated as terrorists, MPs told
New Zealanders taking part in protests at sea could be treated as terrorists and face draconian punishments under proposed law changes, MPs have been told.
Corrections to recruit 600 more staff
The Corrections Department is to recruit 600 new staff - 100 from overseas - to cope with New Zealand's burgeoning prison population.
Labour talks housing after hijacking bill
A legislative blunder has allowed Labour to "talk at length, non-stop" about its housing policies.
Auditor-General can't fully investigate Niue contract
The Auditor-General isn't able to fully investigate the awarding of a government contract to a businessman who donated to National, she says.
I did not snort fake coke, says Health Minister
The Health Minister says he did not snort, or pretend to snort, fake cocaine at a primary school fundraiser at the weekend.
Winston Peters: 'Most Kiwis are struggling'
New Zealand First aims to capture the votes of what it says is the growing number of struggling workers in next year's election. Audio
NZ First calls for NCEA drivers licence plan
New Zealand First has announced it would make learning to drive a core secondary school subject.
Environment Minister accused of GMO beat-up
The government has been accused of scaremongering as it moves to stop local councils controlling the use of genetically modified organisms. Video, Audio
NZ First buoyant ahead of convention
New Zealand First believes it has its political foes worried as it heads into election year.
Ruataniwha dam ruling: another hurdle or beginning of the end?
The latest legal ruling marks the beginning of the end for the controversial Ruataniwha dam, according to Labour and Greenpeace. But farmers see it as just another hurdle.
Organised crime, drug policing 'will suffer'
The police officers' union fears the policing of organised crime will suffer if too many staff are diverted to focusing on burglaries.
Govt not showing 'moral leadership' on KiwiSaver
The Labour Party says the Commerce Minister should step in to ensure KiwiSaver providers are not investing in the manufacture of cluster bombs.
Govt's 'silence' on detention camps condemned
Protesters have called on the government to more forcefully oppose Australia's use of offshore detention camps. Audio
Drivers could face on-the-spot saliva tests
Drivers could soon have to provide police with saliva samples for immediate screening for illegal drugs.
Water contamination a wakeup call on intensive agriculture - Greens
Havelock North's contaminated drinking water is a 'wakeup call' and the inquiry into it needs to look at the role of intensive agriculture, the Green Party says.
ETS changes needed to meet Paris Agreement
The Emissions Trading Scheme will need to be tweaked to meet climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement, the government says.
Visa holders cheating refugee policy - Peters
Nearly 1600 people have claimed asylum in New Zealand after arriving on work and student visas, the NZ First leader says.
Meth contamination guidelines 'needed now'
New methamphetamine contamination guidelines cannot come soon enough, Auckland District Law Society says.