Stories by Guyon Espiner

In a new documentary, RNZ's Guyon Espiner asks what business Richard Nixon has in sending hundreds of New Zealanders to prison each year for low-level drug offences.

A shift commander says he knew of Jerrim Toms' mental health issues but that didn't alter his strategy on how to deal with him.

Police say they had no other option but to shoot and kill the 29-year-old mentally ill man - including eight shots fired as he ran away.

A 29-year-old mentally ill man shot dead by police was a "bright, authentic and honest" man, whose condition deteriorated with the use of meth, a coronial inquest heard today.

Billions of dollars from Lotto's gambling profits have been handed out using an incoherent funding model built on 'systemic bias' that sees Māori, Pasifika and other minority groups miss out, papers…

For years, Lotto pitched certain stores as "lucky". They weren't. In fact, the chances of becoming a problem gambler far outweigh the chances of winning a big Powerball prize.

In the third of RNZ's investigative series on Lotto, we ask why children are able to gamble on Lotto - and it is completely legal.

Lotto is being urged to drop plans to launch online Bingo, with an expert saying it could increase gambling harm in Māori and Pasifika communities

An expert warns Lotto is impacting poor communities "by stealth" and says it has hidden in the shadows as the spotlight shone on pokies.

Darryl Evans employed three family members, including his son who lived at the food bank, and when some were allegedly involved in a physical altercation, no action was taken, according to records.

Corrections has been breaking the law by gassing prisoners in their cells with a potent pepper spray called the Cell Buster, a High Court judge has ruled.

Police emails seen by RNZ reveal officers planned to hide "ninja styles" close to Shargin Stephens' house late at night to try and catch him breaching bail.

The whānau of a man who was fatally shot by police was blamed for leaking court documents by a coroner, despite there being no evidence the whānau had done so.

He's white, male, bald, rich and Christian, but he's also championed gender pay equity, worked to halt human trafficking and has climate change credentials.

Chief executive Darryl Evans has resigned and the board of the high-profile charity has appointed a Queen's Counsel to oversee an inquiry into allegations former staff have made against him.

In today's Focus on Politics podcast, investigative journalist Guyon Espiner talks to a leading defence lawyer, the chair of the IPCA and the commissioner of police about whether the police watchdog…

After RNZ obtained a secret IPCA report that sheds light on the Armed Offenders Squad, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster denies 'shoot to kill' policy.

Why is the SIS subject to the Official Information Act while the IPCA is not? The chair of the police watchdog defends the secrecy but admits it doesn't have enough resources to do its job properly.

When police shoot and kill, they're investigated by fellow officers. Guyon Espiner reveals that shooters have been shown evidence in advance of being interviewed.

In a major u-turn, the police watchdog has found constant, late-night checks on Shargin Stephens were unreasonable and may have contributed to him lashing out, before police fatally shot him.

Lawyers who often act for vulnerable and low-income people could be paid extra if their clients enter an early plea under a new Ministry of Justice scheme to speed up the court process.

First person - Guyon Espiner can still remember the Steinlager ad campaigns of his youth, and years on, it remains impossible to escape alcohol marketing.

Police are trying to assume the online identities of suspects and defendants by taking over their social media and email accounts to gather information. Audio

An expert on America's 'supermax' jails says the way women are treated in New Zealand prisons is "extremely troubling".

Jerrim Toms' mum asked police to help her mentally ill son. They ended up shooting him as he ran away. Guyon Espiner investigates.