Phil Pennington
Wellington hospital sending patients to private MRI
Wellington hospital is being forced to spend millions of extra dollars sending patients to private hospitals for MRI and CT scans as its old scanning machines fail to cope.
The average waiting time… Audio
Councillor complains about Waka Kotahi cycleway cost management
An Auckland councillor is appalled at Waka Kotahi's cycleway project mismanagement that has fueled big cost blowouts.
It comes amid new figures that show a clutch of key projects will cost at least… Audio
Cycleways facing choice to defer, delay or blowout
The country's cycleway building programme faces a tough choice - to defer, delay or blowout on projects.
Documents released under the OIA show it's not just pandemic pressures but basic mistakes… Audio
Developer suing Christchurch City Council over office block
A property developer is suing Christchurch City Council for $19 million over a blighted office block it wants to demolish in a busy central mall.
Two dozen court filings show claims and counterclaims… Audio
Contractor operated 'dangerous and high risk' sites
A major contractor was operating roadworks labelled "dangerous and high risk" to pedestrians, drivers and cyclists at the same time it was let off a prosecution over a cyclist's death.
Downer failed… Audio
Hawke's Bay earthquake risk level could change
New earthquake modelling is due out this year that will raise the hazard levels in some places.
That will include large parts of Hawke's Bay, where the hospital in Hastings is already grappling with… Audio
Firefighters' hoses recalled
It's been revealed New Plymouth firefighters looking for people inside a burning house had to pull out when their hose failed on Friday.
They have since banned the hose, and that ban is now spreading… Audio
$40m Oranga Tamariki project criticised
Top officials were kept in the dark about a bungled $40 million Oranga Tamariki project to expand services to children who are victims of sexual abuse.
The Government says what went on is an… Audio
Charges dropped over unsafe roadworks where cyclist was killed
Charges have been dropped against two major contractors over unsafe roadworks where a young cyclist was killed in Christchurch. McConnell Dowell Constructors and Downer New Zealand have instead made… Audio
$60m Oranga Tamariki programme mismanaged - review
Changes to a $60m programme to help sexually abused children have been badly mismanaged by Oranga Tamariki. A review released to RNZ shows its team doing the work to fill glaring gaps in services was… Audio
LynnMall attacker assaulted in prison, documents reveal
Newly-released documents show the LynnMall knife attacker Ahamed Samsudeen was assaulted twice in prison. They also show he was blamed for starting a third fight. The 32-year-old was shot dead by… Audio
Wellington Hospital needs to move ED due to quake risk
Wellington Hospital has to move its Emergency Department because its structure might fail in a quake. There are also issues at Hawke's Bay Hospital. They are the latest shaky hospitals juggling… Audio
Country's car fleet getting heavier
The size of the country's car fleet is heading the wrong way in the race to reduce emissions - vehicles are getting heavier which means burning more fuel.
Safety ratings which favour bigger cars are… Audio
Oranga Tamariki child abuse investigations criticised
A man accused of child abuse says it's a 'lottery' if a family gets a proper investigation by Oranga Tamariki.
The children's ministry has admitted to shortcomings in following its own inquiry… Audio
Oranga Tamariki handling of abuse allegations in spotlight
Oranga Tamariki's mishandling of a case of a boy alleging abuse has revealed widespread shortcomings in its use of one of the most important child safety tools.
Reviews showing up problems with the… Audio
Auckland councillors debate cycleway network expansion plan
A new $300 million plan for Auckland cycleways ran into strong headwinds today.
Some councillors believe the plan could make Auckland the next best thing to Copenhagen, but others believe it swallows… Audio
Auckland roads risky for anyone outside cars
If you walk, bike or ride a motorbike or scooter in Auckland you are at more risk of injury or death than in major cities in Europe.
That finding is triggering plans for lower speed limits, higher… Audio
Car dealer claims emission problems cost him $100k
A Christchurch car dealer says mistakes with emissions data in the Clean Car Scheme have cost him $100,000 and counting.
Others say the problems are skittling some deals for car buyers, propelling… Audio
Holidays Act overhaul presents problem for employers
An overhaul of the Holidays Act has thrown up a new, curly problem that could cost employers.
Officials are belatedly advising that employers are liable for public holiday pay for a worker on ACC.
… Audio
Transport Agency believes it's being ripped off on bitumen
The Transport Agency is taking over nearly all the country's bitumen supply vital to road building because it believes it is being ripped off by suppliers.
Documents show the agency warning that if… Audio
