Phil Pennington
Thames Hospital issued WOF despite firestopping defects
The Waikato DHB issued a warrant of fitness for the Thames Hospital maternity unit despite knowing it had firestopping defects.
It has hurriedly revoked the warrant after RNZ made inquiries.
Phil… Audio
Running the numbers on public service PR
It's not news that people doing PR and communications for the state heavily outnumber the journalists who report on the agencies employing them. And journalists know most of those on 'the dark side'… Audio
Running the numbers on public service PR
It's not news that people doing PR and communications for the state heavily outnumber the journalists who report on the agencies employing them. And journalists know most of those on 'the dark side'…
AudioHamilton council defends delayed building warrants of fitness
The Hamilton City Council says it is holding property owners to account for safety systems despite 200 of the city's buildings not having warrants of fitness.
These include many hospital buildings… Audio
Another major company quits NZ building performance scheme
The country's leading building product assurance scheme is in disarray after another major company pulled out of it.
The government's Codemark scheme can't be challenged by council building consent… Audio
NZTA favours overseas IT suppliers - investigation
The way the Transport Agency selects outside suppliers is under investigation after complaints it has favoured overseas companies. Phil Pennington reports. Audio
Confusion, tension behind safety issues in building sector
Confusion and tension have been getting in the way of making the high-risk construction industry safer.
Key safety organisations admit to this - but say they are now working together to overcome it.
…State care abuse inquiry lacking care - survivor
An Auckland woman in her 70s has spoken up about having to sit in a busy motel lobby for 25 minutes while waiting to give evidence to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse.
She says she was… Audio
Future unclear for Christchurch's new quake-prone building
The fate of a new Christchurch building that is off-limits because of safety concerns remains unclear.
Engineers met regulators in a dispute over the seven-storey building on High Street in the… Audio
Truck-trailers ruled unsafe months before taken off roads
The Transport Agency was calling problems with truck-trailers a significant safety risk for months before it pulled the trailers off the road.
Documents show the alarm bells were ringing very loudly… Audio
Waikato Hospital buildings fail fire safety standards
Waikato Hospital buildings including the child and women's health centre do not have warrants of fitness because they are not up to scratch for fire protection.
Other buildings do have warrants but… Audio
Surveillance in NZ: Are security agencies working?
People who have been under surveillance by the state say it's done lasting damage and left them in limbo.
Ben of Wellington quit his job and Jumana, a Muslim woman, stopped going to political… Audio
NZTA reopens investigation into 'unfair' contract
The Transport Agency has reopened an investigation into how a senior manager oversaw the awarding of a contract to a company run by a close friend.
An inquiry found that contract was unfairly… Audio
Christchurch Attacks: What security agencies are keeping us safe?
Insight - The Christchurch terror attack happened apparently without any indication of danger being flagged. So who is supposed to be keeping New Zealand safe? In this first part of a two part… Audio
National security: Govt admits gaps in counter-terrorism
Major gaps have been identified in national security including no strategy to prevent terrorist attacks.
The government is acknowledging the gaps even as the Royal Commission of Inquiry investigates… Audio
Mediawatch Midweek 22 May 2019
Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately. Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about media self-absorption, an awful Aussie election gimmick; two lost-and-found tearjerkers; a spoiled spoiler story -… Video, Audio
Mediawatch Midweek 22 May 2019
Mediawatch's weekly catch-up with Lately. Colin Peacock talks to Emile Donovan about media self-absorption, an awful Aussie election gimmick; two lost-and-found tearjerkers; a spoiled spoiler story -…
Video, AudioMultiple seismic faults found in new Christchurch building
A new office building in central Christchurch has multiple flaws in its earthquake design that the city council was warned about almost two years ago. Construction of the seven-storey building above… Audio
Father threatens to sue Oranga Tamariki
A father is threatening to sue Oranga Tamariki over how it investigated social workers who provided a judge with misleading information about him. His case triggered a ministerial rebuke and review of… Audio
Middlemore Hospital leaky building costs double
The cost estimate for fixing leaky buildings at Middlemore Hospital has doubled. But at other hospitals facing billions in bills to upgrade old wards and operating theatres, there is one bright note -… Audio