Phil Pennington
Veterans' Affairs office plagued by bullying complaints
Workers at Veterans' Affairs have lodged official complaints that bullying is so bad it's severely affecting their mental health.
At least five complaints have gone to the Crown agency Worksafe since… Audio
Devonport most polluted Defence Force base in NZ
Devonport tops a list of the most polluted Defence Force bases in the country.
Trentham in Upper Hutt, which like Devonport has a lot of housing nearby, ranks among the top five most expensive bases… Audio
Bad taste from changes at Marsden Pt refinery
"The pipis taste like petrol."
That's how a Northland kuia sums up the tainted benefits from the oil refinery at Marsden Pt, benefits that the Iwi says are now evaporating.
Phil Pennington reports.
…Tow trucks have been working unsafely on Akld motorways
An investigation has found tow trucks have been working unsafely on Auckland motorways for years, and police let it happen. The Independent Police Conduct Authority report out today says when concerns… Audio
Covid-19: Contractors making millions from some agencies
Contractors working for the Government on pandemic programmes are making millions of dollars from some agencies.
Recruiters talk of a sector that is pumped-up and "feel-good" like never before.
Phil… Audio
Northland refinery used banned firefighting foam
The oil refinery in Northland has run banned training exercises using thousands of litres of firefighting foam containing chemicals linked to cancers.
Its fire crews used 60,000 litres of the foam in… Audio
Analyst warns NZ naive about refining shutdown risks
An Australian analyst warns New Zealand is being naive about the dangers of shutting down its only oil refinery.
A researcher in Christchurch says this country is failing to properly weigh the risks… Audio
Defence overdue for audit of hazardous materials management
The Defence Ministry is years overdue for an audit of how the military's controls hazardous materials such as rocket fuel and old ammunition.
The audits are required by law and the ministry says they… Audio
Police computer systems outdated, ill prepared for major disruption - audit
Police don't know how much data they could lose if their IT systems are hacked.
An audit has shown police computer systems are ill-prepared to cope with major disruption.
Police say they are working… Audio
Study shows disagreement over vehicle safety
A major new study shows a gulf of disagreement over how to make supply chains, such as those that feed supermarkets, safer from vehicle-related risks.
That is despite agreement that commercial… Audio
Rule changes make some motorhomes, horse trucks illegal
Motorhomes and horse trucks are being forced off the road under rule changes brought in by Waka Kotahi, the NZ Transport Agency.
Owners say it is surprising, devastating and absurd - and costing them… Audio
Thousands of vehicles hit by new NZTA rules - truck maker
Motorhomes and horsetrucks are being forced off the road, and owners are facing bills of $20,000 or more as a result of rule changes brought in by the Transport Agency.
Vehicles are being knocked… Audio
Deal to shut down Levin dump hits a snag
A deal to shut down and clean up at the Levin landfill near the tiny beach settlement of Hokio is now floundering.
It is one of the country's most controversial rubbish dumps, contaminating a stream… Audio
Government advice going both ways on gas production
Is the country's supply of petrol, diesel and jet gas becoming more vulnerable to disruption?
The Government has had advice that goes both ways, just days ahead of a crucial decision on stopping all… Audio
Government hospital upgrade plans facing major delays
The Government's first-ever plan for upgrading hundreds of unfit - and sometimes unsafe - hospital buildings is facing major delays.
The plan is an unprecedented attempt to properly coordinate… Audio
Police consider possibility of algorithms to fight crime
Crime fighting algorithms that sound like the stuff of a Hollywood sci-fi are in the sights of police.
A new stocktake out today shows they wanted to use one when pulling over drivers - but have now… Audio
First-ever reports shed light on algorithm-led policing
The police have revealed how they use computer algorithms to compile a list of the Top 5 highest risk offenders each day, and the chances of a family violence perpetrator reoffending. This is detailed… Audio
Private sector says govt luring workers away from busine
Government agencies are expanding rapidly, raising fears the public sector is sucking workers away from private businesses with big money offers.
Updates from 18 departments and ministries reveal… Audio
Public service adds to private sector recruitment woes
Businesses are complaining an expanding public service is adding to their recruitment woes.
One example is the Ministry for the Environment, which is two thirds bigger than it was two years ago and… Audio
DHBs refuse to release reviews into cyber security
The country's District Health Boards are refusing to release reviews done of their cyber security systems weeks after Waikato DHB was struck by ransomware attackers.
They blanket refused Official… Audio
