Stories by Mei Heron
News
MFAT staff compensated for unfair inquiry
The State Services Commission has paid compensation to two former MFAT employees for treating them unfairly during a leaks inquiry in 2013. Video
Hundreds take up Auckland exit grants
More than 150 households have taken up the offer of financial help to move from Auckland to another part of the country.
National rejects Mt Roskill 'bloody nose' claim
National is dismissing claims Labour's landslide victory in the Mt Roskill by-election will hurt it at next year's general election. Audio
Collins disputes officer's 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' claims
Police Minister Judith Collins is unaware of any evidence officers have been diverted from organised crime to deal with burglaries, she says.
Police burglary focus 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'
A squad focusing on organised crime has been shut down so police can focus on attending burglaries, according to a frontline officer.
Hundreds of Chch prisoners to get extra govt support
Hundreds of Christchurch prisoners will receive education, financial advice and housing support as part of the government's offender employment programme.
Make sure quake help gets to 'mum and dad' firms, govt told
The government is being told to keep a close eye on smaller quake-affected Wellington businesses to ensure they get the help they need to stay afloat.
Help quake-hit Wgtn businesses, says MP
Labour's MP for Wellington Central, Grant Robertson, has written a letter to the government requesting a business support package for the capital.
Quake evacuations: 'I have nothing. Absolutely nothing.'
People evacuated from their homes in central Wellington after a parking building was found to be in danger of collapsing are feeling shell-shocked and stranded.
Beam in Molesworth Street building fractured 'like a bone' - Fire Service
Authorities have closed Wellington's Molesworth Street and evacuated several buildings because of the risk of a building collapse. Audio
Māori Party gives green light for RMA changes
The government has reached an agreement with the Māori Party, which gives it the numbers to pass its Resource Management legislation.
PM rules out govt euthanasia bill
Prime Minister John Key has ruled out the government introducing its own voluntary euthanasia legislation, despite personally supporting it.
Ministry accused of cop-out on seclusion rooms
Disability provider IHC says the Ministry of Education must shut seclusion rooms now, after revelations only six of eight schools have agreed to stop using them.
Parata accused of 'semantics' over seclusion room knowledge
The Green Party is rejecting Education Minister Hekia Parata's claims that she first heard about the use of seclusion rooms in July.
Greens call for McCully to resign over Saudi deal
The Green Party is calling for the Foreign Minister to resign over the Saudi sheep deal, despite the Auditor General clearing the government of any criminal liability over it.
Māori Party names Te Tai Hauāuru candidate
The Māori Party has named Howie Tamati as its candidate for the Te Tai Hauāuru seat, which was held for 12 years by its founder Tariana Turia.
Committee recommends TPP laws be passed
The select committee considering the Trans-Pacific Partnership legislation has recommended it be passed with minor amendments.
'Kick in the guts' for tenants evicted for P contamination
Tenants who feel they were wrongly kicked out because of methamphetamine contamination will find it hard to fight Housing NZ, an advocacy group says.
Taxpayers foot $700k bill for ex-MPs' travel
Former MPs and their partners have spent just over $700,000 of taxpayer money on travel in the previous year, Parliamentary Service figures reveal.
Minister should have acted sooner over seclusion rooms - Greens
Education Minister Hekia Parata should have stopped the use of seclusion rooms in schools as soon as she found out about them, the Green Party says.
Drug clinics reject govt claims P use is dropping
Drug rehab clinics are expressing gratitude over a $15m funding boost, but say government claims that P use is dropping does not match the reality. Audio
'Helen gave us hope where nobody else did'
Heartfelt tributes to Helen Kelly, one of New Zealand's most prominent unionists, continue to flow from all corners of the country. Video
Alex Renton's mum presents reform petition to Parliament
The mother of Alex Renton, who died of severe epilepsy, has presented a petition urging the government to make medicinal cannabis more readily available. Video
Spit hoods used more than 300 times in two years
Anti-spitting hoods belong in horror films, not modern policing, a criminal justice advocacy group says. Audio
Hackers targeting employees to obtain company info
More employees are being targeted online by hackers trying to gain access to sensitive company information.