Stories by Emile Donovan

As winter really sets in, Covid-19 case numbers are back on the rise. Should health authorities be acting with more urgency?

When someone screws up and it hits the headlines, what actually happens when PR experts are called in to help them fix it?

Sportswashing presents a myriad of ethical dilemmas for players and fans alike - and the rebel LIV Golf tournament is just the latest example.

The Detail takes a closer look at how the shortage of plasterboard - a critical building product - reached crisis point.

It came as a surprise to economists, but GDP fell 0.2 percent in the March quarter - is New Zealand in for another recession? 

Trevor Mallard is calling time on his parliamentary career. What's he achieved as Speaker of the House of Representatives?

Transmission Gully, the Christchurch stadium, the Waterview Tunnel, the Wellington Town Hall - why do big infrastructure projects take longer and cost more than we expect?

We've got vast amounts of knowledge and information available to us at our fingertips - so why are literacy rates steadily declining?

Why has the Christchurch City Council's approval rating sunk to 42 percent? The Detail talks to Newsroom's David Williams.

The number of people diagnosed with HIV in New Zealand is at its lowest since the 1990s - but what more need to happen to reach the goal of zero new infections by 2025?

What does New Zealand Rugby's deal with Silver Lake actually mean for the game? The Detail finds out.

The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's high-profile trip to the United States is coming to an end. The Detail asks, what's in it for New Zealand, what's in it for the US, and where to next for the…

Monkeypox cases are steadily rising around the world, but do we need to be worried? Infectious diseases experts say the outbreak is cause for concern, but not alarm.

The government's set an ambitious target of hitting 100 percent of electricity generation from renewable sources by 2030 – but it is achievable? 

The Productivity Commission says New Zealand needs to take another look at its strict regulations on genetically modified organisms – or we could risk missing out on important innovations that improve…

There have been calls for New Zealand to expel Russia's ambassador in response to the war in Ukraine. But is that the right diplomatic step to take?

Research suggests anywhere between 10 and 30 percent of people who get Covid-19 end up developing Long Covid. What happens if that impacts your ability to work?

A woman was killed in Shanghai in 2009. A New Zealand resident, Kyung Yup Kim, is accused of her murder. China wants him extradited - why is it taking so long?

Journalist David Farrier talks to The Detail about his reporting on serious allegations of emotional and physical abuse at one of the country’s biggest megachurches: Arise. 

Public transport fares have been halved until the end of June, but to what extent are our bus and train trips already subsidised by the government and local councils?

The three strikes legislation is in the process of being repealed - how will history judge one of the most controversial justice reforms of recent years?

Some countries are increasing their defence budgets as the war in Ukraine rages on. The Detail looks at whether New Zealand needs to follow suit.

Are New Zealanders' attitudes towards offensive language changing? A recent survey by the Broadcasting Standards Authority seems to suggest they might be.

New Zealand is facing a serious shortage of GPs - many family doctors will be hitting retirement age over the next decade and we're not training enough to replace them. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has called the security deal between China and Solomon Islands "gravely concerning" - but does New Zealand really need to be worried?