Stories by Russell Palmer
News
Nearly 150 police officers to undergo swim test after Minister makes 'expectations clear'
The 149 officers who graduated without being assessed on swimming ability will go through the test over the next four months.
'Clear breach': Applicants who failed physical test still admitted for police training
Police have begun an audit into whether further breaches of the recruitment process had occurred.
Nicola Willis confirms FamilyBoost eligibility to be expanded
The Finance Minister says the leftover funding from the unexpectedly low uptake of the FamilyBoost policy will be redistributed to families who need it.
Fewer than 50 families to get National's full tax package, says CTU
The rebate for families was a key plank of National's tax package last year.
Te Pāti Māori face public hearing over haka in Parliament
The stand-off between Te Pāti Māori and Parliament's Privileges Committee is coming to a head with a public hearing.
Chatham Islands 'fighting to get up to the basics'
Monique Croon says energy and shipping decisions are needed before a meatworks supported by the government can proceed.
Violent crime data raises more questions than answers - Labour
Ministry of Justice data confirms the government's claim it met its target to reduce the number of violent crime victims. Audio
Consultation starts on new draft sexuality education framework
Winston Peters called the previous guideline "woke" and "out of touch" but the Education Minister says Peters has had no influence over the new framework.
Watchdog warns of reputational damage from failure to meet Treaty settlement obligations
The Auditor-General has criticised the public sector over a lack of planning, monitoring and accountability for keeping to commitments laid down in Treaty settlement laws.
Winston Peters declines Benjamin Doyle's invitation to speak directly
The New Zealand First leader instead suggested the Green MP should speak to police about their private social media posts. Audio
'We are now in the grips of this tariff war'
It could be five to 10 years before the world adjusts to Donald Trump's tariffs, a former Reserve Bank economist says.
Surprises in government's next quarterly plan
The government says it's ticked off 37 out of 40 goals in its last plan - but there's some big milestones in the next.
Waikato medical school needs to go back to tender process - Greens
The Greens are urging the government to go back and carry out a competitive tender process as Cabinet considers whether to push ahead with a new Waikato medical school.
Complaint over teaching tikanga Māori in law schools rejected
But the select committee also put a limit on how much cultural education was required.
NZ officials get clarification on Trump's new tariffs
The flat 10 percent duty being applied to US imports will apply on top of any existing tariffs, but there are some exceptions.
Parliament agrees to add all Treaty Principles submissions to public record
It comes after thousands of submissions were to be excluded from the record.
'Appalling lack of process': Treaty bill deadline moved up to tomorrow
The committee has "rammed it through with outrageous haste", with a report now expected tomorrow, but excluding thousands of submissions, Duncan Webb says.
Climate change is a real financial risk, Super Fund managers say
The managers of the New Zealand Super Fund say they apply a climate lens to every activity. Audio
PM doubles down on excluding Treaty bill submissions
But legal scholars warn the move sets a worrying precedent.
Hosting America's Cup too expensive, Luxon says
Labour says it might not have shelled out the millions required either, but the government should have tried harder.
New Cook Strait ferries to be rail-enabled
Winston Peters has unveiled details about the Interislander replacement plan, including a new timeline.
What to expect from today's ferry announcement
The next steps in replacing the Interislanders are set to be revealed, more than 15 months after the coalition scrapped Labour's plan. Audio
Treaty Principles Bill: Thousands of submissions to be excluded
Labour's Justice spokesperson Duncan Webb says committee staff do not have enough time to process the unprecedented number of written submissions.