Podcasts about Official Information Act

This morning we thought we'd start with the fact that more and more kids, it seems, are bringing weapons to school, And we're not talking about the States, we're talking about New Zealand. Figures released under the Official Information Act show that 526 students were stood down, suspended or excluded for using or having a weapon at school last year. That's 80 percent more than in 2018, when there were around 300 students disciplined. Schools differ from what they define as a weapon. There's no one category for what a weapon might be, or how a weapon is being used, it differs school by school, but nonetheless, things that can be perceived as weapons are being brought to school by our schoolchildren. And we're talking primary aged children as well as intermediate and secondary and there are 80 percent more objects that could be used as weapons being carried into school. Mike, this morning when he was discussing this story, he said - surely this is nothing new. He took a knife to school when he was a boy, ostensibly to peel an apple but it was also to show it off. He didn't mean any harm by bringing it to school. Louise Anaru, with whom he was having the conversation, the principal of Kaitaia College and the President of the Secondary Principals Association agreed with Mike that that may well be the case today and that may well be the reason why a number of these kids are bringing weapons to school, but young people need to be aware of unintended consequences. "In my experience, in the situations I've come across, there hasn't been intent - but I've still taken it really seriously in those contexts because it's important to get the message out that that can cause harm and to take a real strong stance on it, just because of the risk involved. There isn't intent, but in the worst case scenario it can cause serious harm to our young people." That was Louise Anaru talking to Mike Hosking on the Mike Hosking Breakfast this morning. I would love to think that it is a case of show and tell. Of ‘oh my God, look what my uncle brought me back from Switzerland - a Swiss army knife'. But looking through the Newswires, I wonder. Here's a sample from last year, just when you Google. A teenage boy suffered a serious injury to his face during an alleged assault at his East Auckland School. The attack left him with severe facial injuries that required immediate surgery. Police are seeking a person of interest after a schoolboy was left with serious facial injuries and an assault on a bus in Auckland's Pakuranga. The boy had three teeth knocked out in the assault, while three others were damaged. Here's a third - an Ashburton family whose son is still recovering after being attacked at school, and say they're also dealing with having been exploited as migrants to New Zealand. The Year 9 Ashburton College student was left with a fractured eye socket and neck injury and concussion after being allegedly assaulted in class by another student. These are serious attacks. If these were adults who were perpetrating the acts and the attacks they'd be looking, certainly at a conviction. In the olden days, it would have been a short stint in gaol, but here it would probably be home detention for that kind of assault, an unprovoked assault on an unarmed person. You know you are talking a serious crime. And that's only three of them - there are many, many more I could give you from last year, and there are some this year, way more than I ever imagined, and way more serious than I ever imagined. Maybe kids are bringing weapons to school because they're in fear of their blooming lives. Both on the way to school and while in the playground. If they are being tormented, maybe they feel a show of strength will make the other kids back off. I would love to know more about the circumstances of it, given that there are different interpretations of what a weapon might be school by school. Given that there are different punishments as a result of bringing a weapon to school. These figures are just an indication they don't tell us anything. What do you do when you have a child who is being tormented? Not just bullied but tormented and assaulted to the point that they're concussed, they have skull fractures, they lose teeth. It's boys and girls as well. I could have given you some girl's ones, but I was running out of time. Do we need to pat down the kids on arrival at school, make them hand them their weapons along with their cell phones? I mean addressing the broader issue of bullying in schools - well, good luck with that because there's been bullying for as long as kids have gathered together in one place at one time. As long as adults have gathered together in one place at one time. What's happening in the Middle East can be seen as a form of bullying. But trying to mitigate the harm that angry, fearful people can do to one another would be a very good start. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If we choose to ignore or downplay this new information out today about kids taking weapons to school, we'll be doing it at our peril. Because what do you hear people say time and time again when something terrible happens? These are people in the news who might be commenting about a stabbing or a shooting, or something like that. What is it we hear them say time and time again? “We never thought this sort of thing would happen here.” We hear people in the United States saying it whenever there's something like a school shooting. And you would think people over there wouldn't be surprised, given it happens so often. And we heard it here after the mosque shootings – which had a lot more credence because it's true, we never imagined something like that happening here. But this is why I'm sitting up and paying attention to these stats that have been released to under the Official Information Act. Because we are kidding ourselves if we think that an increase in the number of kids being caught with weapons at school is anything other than the proverbial canary in the mine. Last year, 526 students were stood down, suspended, or excluded for using or having a weapon at school. About 80% up on the numbers in 2018. And I bet there'll be no shortage of people of a certain age saying today that they used to carry a pocketknife around with them when they were young and it wasn't a problem. But there's a key difference between then and now, which is why I think we ignore these numbers at our peril. And it's got nothing to do with the weapons themselves. It's all about the way society has changed and the attitudes and thinking of the kids carrying these weapons and the lives some of them lead. Schools are like a slice of society. They're not little bubbles that are totally isolated from the rest of their communities. Even if there hadn't been any increase in the number of kids being caught with weapons – any amount of weapons getting past the school gate is way more concerning now than it might have been in the past because of that shift in attitude. When you were a kid, if you snuck something into school that you shouldn't have —a pocket knife or whatever— I bet it never crossed your mind that it might be useful if someone started giving you a hard time or something. These days, some people do think like that. Example: in May last year, we had that young guy fatally stabbed by another school kid at the bus stop in Dunedin. The guy with the knife was charged with murder but was, eventually, found guilty of manslaughter. Granted, it didn't happen at school, but it just as easily could. These days, people not only have weapons, they're also not afraid of using them. That's the big difference here. And that's why we need to pay attention to these numbers out today. Because here in New Zealand we are brilliant at sticking our heads in the sand, thinking bad stuff won't happen. And we need to wake up and start doing more than just assume that schools have got this under control. I see principals are saying today that they could do with a bit more support, in terms of the Ministry of Education putting more money into providing guidance for schools on how to deal with the issue of kids and weapons. But that's not enough. We will never be able to wind the clock back and change this attitude shift that has been happening in recent years, where we have people carrying weapons who aren't afraid to use them. Which means that we will never be able to stop some school kids from thinking that it's perfectly fine to leave home in the morning with some sort of weapon in their bag or their pocket. But we can do something about it once they arrive at school. And if that means random bag or pocket searches, then so be it. Because, if we don't, all the people with their heads in the sand will be rabbiting on about things happening here that they never imagined happening here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concern over an increasing number of children bringing weapons to school. Figures released under the Official Information Act show 526 students were stood down, suspended, or excluded for using or having a weapon at school last year. It's an 80% rise on 2018. Secondary Principals' Association President Louise Anaru told Mike Hosking that in a vast majority of cases, children have no intent to use the weapon - but regardless, the matter needs to be treated seriously. She says it's important to get the message out that they can cause harm, and to take a real strong stance on it. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teachers and principals are relying on other students to know if someone is bringing a weapon to school. Figures released under the Official Information Act show 526 students were stood down, suspended, or excluded for using or having a weapon at school last year. That's 80% higher than in 2018. PPTA President Chris Abercrombie told Ryan Bridge the experience of most schools tends to be the same. He says bag searches are very rare, and more often than not, students tell staff about the weapon. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's hardly a surprise, is it? Adrian looks at what Nicola is offering to run the place, packs a sad, and is off. It's a pathetic end to a tumultuous period in which we, the people who paid him, deserved an awful lot better. The fact this information on the Orr resignation had to be dragged out of the bank by way of the Official Information Act, the rules of which were ignored as the bank failed to meet deadlines, shows you just what sort of place we are dealing with. How you conduct yourself is critical. It's critical to all of us and even more critical the further up the totem pole you are. There's nothing wrong with Adrian quitting if he genuinely believed the money being offered to run the bank wasn't enough. But you do it with some dignity. You quit, you serve out your period, you offer reasons for you quitting and you move on with life. In doing it that way you give us all an insight into what sort of human being you are. And in this case, you might well have been able to give us insight into how your organisation runs, what its thinking is, what the gap is between the bank and the Government and why you might be right, and they might be wrong. It doesn't have to turn into a scrap or a fallout. Just a series of adult ideas as to why people might see things at odds to each other. If Covid taught us nothing else, it taught us the critical role of a central bank and what sort of people run it. The way Adrian ran it is well documented and the general view held by many is widely traversed. But the sudden departure was another insight into why Adrian did things the way he did. He is petulant. You don't leave out of the blue and in silence. You don't bail on hosting an international finance conference having said you were looking forward to it. It's toys and sandpits with Adrian and then obfuscation from the bank when a few simple questions were asked. If you can't conduct yourself, and the bank can't conduct themselves, with any great level of clarity, transparency and professionalism, is it any wonder the economy got run over the way it did? Ol' Adrian won't be missed. But you would have hoped for something a bit more sophisticated on the way out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show strict limits on coconut cream and soy sauce in school lunches provided by the cut-price scheme's contract-holder, the School Lunch Collective. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Corin Dann.

In today's episode, the Labour Party is critical of the government's plans to redevelop Nelson Hospital, saying it will deliver half the number of new beds as the previous government had planned, documents obtained under the Official Information Act show strict limits on coconut cream and soy sauce in school lunches provided by the cut-price scheme's contract-holder, the School Lunch Collective, the greyhound racing industry is heading to court to challenge the Racing Minister's decision to ban the sport from July next year, and some lower North Island councils have written to the Infrastructure Minister with their concerns about cost-cutting on the Otaki to north of Levin highway.

The Government's being accused of rushing a greyhound racing ban, affecting hundreds of jobs. Racing Minister Winston Peters gave the industry 20 months to wind down from November. Greyhound Racing NZ is applying for a judicial review, saying the Government failed to inform, prepare, and consult on the ban. CEO Edward Rennell says many only found out shortly before the announcement. He told Mike Hosking they've had no engagement from the Government and nothing in writing on the decision – the only way they've been able to determine how it was made was through the Official Information Act. Based on that information, Rennell says the paper that went to cabinet was highly selective and didn't present complete facts. “When you're looking to take away $159 million from the economy and 1,054 jobs, surely you have an obligation to review the full facts.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Justice Minister says he's hunting for a solution to make sure victims of crime get their reparations. Figures released under the Official Information Act show almost half of all court-ordered reparation payments are overdue – $105 million owed to victims. Paul Goldsmith says there's scope for taking it out of people's benefits. He told Mike Hosking while they don't want to send people to prison, there needs to be an incentive to pay. Goldsmith says he's looking for an annoying and painful punishment that will make criminals pay up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier is leaving his role next month after 10 years in the role. The current Government asked him to stay in the role after he quit last year as he approaches 72, the oldest someone can be in the position. His ten year term is coming to an end once and for all and he has a strong parting message. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ombudsman has released a lengthy list of concerns about the Official Information Act ahead of his departure at the end of this month. Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

On today's episode, the United States defence secretary Pete Hegseth says Ukraine cannot expect to return to its 2014 borders and has downplayed the chance of it becoming a member of NATO, the union representing 25,000 Health New Zealand workers has launched legal action to halt sweeping job cuts at the agency, a dispute between Israel and Hamas over the release of hostages has pushed the Gaza ceasefire deal closer to collapse, a raft of changes have been proposed for the Fisheries Act - including removing public access to on-boat camera footage through the Official Information Act, and McDonalds New Zealand is not ruling out appealing a decision from Commissioners, who decided not to grant consent to open a restaurant in Wanaka.

A raft of changes have been proposed for the Fisheries Act - including removing public access to on-boat camera footage through the Official Information Act. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Documents released under the Official Information Act show just how close health officials came to shutting down Dargaville Hospital. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has been looking at the documents and he spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The New Zealand Defence Force is making more cuts in a bid to help its nearly $130-million budget shortfall. Documents obtained by the NZ Herald under the Official Information Act show the NZDF is looking to scrap flu vaccines for all civilian staff, international travel for sports teams, some support to Gallipoli and staff gym memberships. The documents acknowledge the move could lead to “impact on morale and possible increased staff absence in the 2025 flu season”. Retired Lieutenant Colonel from Mission Homefront, Hayden Ricketts tells Tim Beveridge “this is just another series of symptoms from a defence force that is struggling to keep the aircraft flying, the ship sailing and the tanks driving”. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Health New Zealand incident report, obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act, reveals patient care may have been impacted in some regions when the Crowdstrike outage hit in July. Reporter Ellen O'Dwyer spoke to Corin Dann.

The newly appointed Minister for Rail Winston Peters has said very little about the Government's ferry plans, mostly sparring with Newstalk ZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan over her questions. “We inherited, coming back into government in 2023, an unholy mess where the costs were blowing out to $3.2 billion," Peters told her. “And then you had all the other uncertainties as well. That was not the project they were charged with doing when I was last Minister of Railways. “So this was a circumstance which took some time to unravel. But here we are set to go now, and very shortly we'll announce what the long-term future will be. “But what we want is efficient, effective transport systems in this country. And the ferry operations in the Cook Strait are critical to that,” he said. Peters said he was not trying to “better” any deal put up by Finance Minister Nicola Willis, as questioned by du Plessis-Allan. “No, no … for the third time, no,” Peters said. “Probably some claimed insiders have been telling you that, but it's not true. “The wider it gets reported, it just carries on. We've got to do better.” Peters said rushing out the Government's plans would “set the bottom price from where the shipbuilders will start increasing their profits - and we're not going to start making those silly mistakes”. “I just told you that three times and now I'm telling you a fourth time. “You'll have plenty of time under the Official Information Act in the future to find out whether what I'm saying is true. And when you do, can you please go on the programme and say, ‘I'm so sorry, I maligned Winston'.” The Government has announced their plans to procure replacements to replace the aging Interislander fleet. Photo / Mark Mitchell Peters said: “I admit it's taken too long. But we've been in the job less than one day, give us some time and we'll show you what we can do. “What you've got to do [as a Government] is find out from all sources what is the best option at the best price for the greatest level of efficiency with the greatest longevity.” Peters said the break fee was confidential “for a whole lot of reasons”. “Do you know anything about commercial practice? That's why it's confidential. Which law school did you go to? “This is embarrassing for the country, you're quite right. The darned boats were only 20% of the costs.” Peters sparred with du Plessis Allan several times. “You're telling me it's embarrassing? Of course, it is. I'm here to fix it and I'm going to fix it,” he told her. Peters said he had “no idea” about Act leader David Seymour's comments about the ferries. “Who said that was true?” Peters said in response to du Plessis Allan's questions. “You know, I've never seen so much rudeness. Somebody is trying to explain to you about a critical issue that costs so much to the taxpayer and you're interrupting. Here's the point: It'll cost way, way less than [iRex], and that, I'm certain.” He said the final decision would come “just as soon as we can responsibly make it”. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newsroom releases a comprehensive analysis of the Coalitions' first year, and excessive use of fast-tracked bills, ignoring the Attorney General's advice around shortened timelines, and a lack-of-evidence approach to legislation. Costello is outed by the Official Information Act showing a lack of evidence, data and reviewed research to support the amendments of the Smokefree 2025 Action Plan. Benjamin Doyle, the newest Green MP to Parliament, fills the gap left by Darleen Tana who was Waka Jumped. They sit down for an interview on Q+A ================================= Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ Follow us on BlueSky @iamprettyawesome.bsy.social @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

A former Minister holds the view that the Ihumātao committee's achieved nothing. Documents seen under the Official Information Act show that Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka considered dissolving the committee. It's now been almost four years since the previous Labour Government supported the sale of the land, after controversial protests. Former Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson told Mike Hosking all this group is capable of doing is talking. He says he wouldn't give them an ultimatum, he'd just boot them now. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No new oil and gas fields are likely to be discovered in the next ten years. That's according to the government's own advice on repealing the oil and gas exploraton ban. The latest modelling, urgently released under the Official Information Act and obtained by RNZ, says in the short term repealing the ban is not likely to significantly bolster gas supplies from existing fields, either. Instead, the analysis shows government officials think reversing the ban will encourage fossil fuel companies to release more gas for extracton from the existing fields.

There's a belief from the Minister that reopening oil and gas exploration won't make a dent in New Zealand's climate impacts. The public have until tonight to submit on the Government's bill, reversing the previous Governments ban on exploration off the coast. MBIE figures show it will result in millions of tonnes of additional emissions. But Shane Jones told Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealand needs energy. He says those opposed are simply "woke" in thinking it is a mortal threat, a claim he's rubbishing. Jones says protestors are entitled to their views, and he's happy to engage with those who disagree with him. He says kiwis want to hear someone put an alternative view to these frog-loving and lizard-obsessed environmentalists. The Government's own advice on repealing the oil and gas exploration ban, released under the Official Information Act and obtained by RNZ, says no new gas fields are likely to be discovered and developed in the next 10 years. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Officials told Associate Health Minister Casey Costello that tobacco giant Philip Morris would be the biggest winner from tax cuts for Heated Tobacco Products, which they said could damage health and were more harmful than vaping. Documents released by Treasury under the Official Information Act also said cutting the excise tax on HTPs may give a commercial advantage to Philip Morris as the monopoly provider. Guyon Espiner has the story and spoke with Ingrid Hipkiss.

Advice received by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said big tobacco company Philip Morris would benefit the most from tax cuts for Heated Tobacco Products. New documents obtained under the Official Information Act show Treasury officials also warned the products were toxic and more harmful than vaping. Despite the warning, the associate health minister claimed she received contrary "independent" advice and went ahead with a 50 percent excise tax cut. Labour's Health Spokesperson Ayesha Verrall spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has revealed a proposal to build a second harbour bridge between Pt Chevalier and the North Shore as a cheaper alternative crossing option.  This would involve using the naturally existing lava flow at Meola Reef to support a new bridge across the Waitematā Harbour crossing to Kauri Point on the North Shore.  In response, critics have questioned the investment, whether the proposal would solve issues of traffic congestion, and have raised concerns regarding environmental implications, disrupting suburban areas, and iwi consultation.  Additionally, Auckland Council received criticism earlier this week over information revealed through an Official Information Act request by the Auckland Ratepayers Alliance that Council spent over $250k on repairing four sets of stairs on Milford Beach.  Sofia spoke to Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics.

Calls for a review of New Zealand's child support system, which is being described by some as broken.. Figures released under the Official Information Act reveal just 0.05 percent, or 36 of 66-thousand New Zealanders in breach of child support responsibilities have been referred to court, in 12 months. Family law barrister Sharon Chandra says the general tenor of feedback she gets, is that the system is broken. She says that's not solely because of a lack of enforcement action, but also because of the assessed amounts that IRD direct parents to pay. The total that New Zealanders are currently in arrears by is 663-million dollars. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? TIM COSTLEY to the Minister of Finance: What recent reports has she seen on the economy? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she stand by her statement, "On this side of the House, we take economic management extremely seriously"; if so, have her decisions since the Budget exemplified that? NANCY LU to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What recent announcements has he made about the Government's one-stop-shop fast-track legislation? Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS to the Minister for Energy: Does he agree with Mark Ogge, a climate and energy expert at the Australia Institute, that "only import liquefied natural gas if you like your energy very, very expensive, and if you want it to be very emissions intensive. Otherwise go for renewable energy, with storage, which is cheaper and virtually zero emissions"; if not, why not? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? MIKE BUTTERICK to the Minister for Energy: What steps is the Government taking to bolster New Zealand's energy security? Hon RACHEL BROOKING to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: Does he stand by his statement that "we've replicated ... the same law that Labour adopted" about the proposed changes to the Fast-track Approvals Bill? JENNY MARCROFT to the Minister for Resources: What reports has he seen regarding the need for more resource extraction to support New Zealand's energy security? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Associate Minister of Health: Does she stand by her response to written question No. 405 (2024), "There was no specific document written. A range of information was provided to officials, including material like Hansard reports, the Coalition Agreement and previous NZ First policy positions"; if so, how is this consistent with her having now released the document in question under the Official Information Act? LAN PHAM to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? DAN BIDOIS to the Minister of Local Government: What recent announcements has he made on getting councils back to basics?

Road maintenance is becoming both more expensive, and more urgent.  A Government briefing document —released to our newsroom under the Official Information Act— shows road repair costs have gone up 50% in six years.  Drainage renewal costs have gone up 350%.  Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Mike Hosking costs have been rising at the same time roads have been degrading.  He says weather in the past couple of years has wrecked the roading system even more.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Official Information Act request reported on last week by Newsroom revealed Minister for Resources Shane Jones obscured the nature of an undeclared meeting with multiple mining companies about the Fast-Track Approvals process in February.  Initially, Jones told Newsroom the dinner was a “last minute thing”, however he corrected the record the following day saying the dinner was arranged in advance with two other participants.  In response, Communities Against the Fast-Track, a coalition of communities, groups and other individual community organisers, have called for Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to remove Jones from his portfolio. Wire host Sofia Roger Williams spoke to spokesperson for Communities Against the Fast-Track, Augusta Macassey-Pickard, about this, starting the interview asking her how concerned she and the Communities Against the Fast-Track groups were about this behaviour. 

A new standard to keep our homes warm and dry introduced just last year, may be rolled back if Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk gets his way. Information obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act shows that Minister Penk is considering reverting to the old building standards despite being advised the new standards were overwhelmingly supported. Chris Penk speaks to Susana Lei'ataua.

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has been severely reprimanded by the Chief Ombudsman and forced to apologise for trying to keep information about tobacco and vaping policy secret. Chief Ombudsman Judge Peter Boshier took the rare step of forcing the New Zealand First Minister to apologise to RNZ and to Otago University Professor of Public Health Janet Hoek for her handling of Official Information Act requests. Guyon Espiner spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Cabinet Minister Judith Collins wants the government to expand the use of AI, starting with the health and education sectors where it could be used to assess mammogram results and provide AI tutors for children. Collins, whose Digitising Government portfolio gives her responsibility for AI policy, says the technology could also be used for government productivity gains, including processing Official Information Act requests. RNZ'S Guyon Espiner spoke to Corin Dann.

Two Ministry of Justice workers have been called out for using foul language to complain about a researcher in an online chat. Academic Barbara Sumner has made a number of Official Information Act requests as part of her P-h-D research into adoption systems. But she was in for a shock when she asked for any correspondence about her. She spoke to Ingrid Hipikiss.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster wants tighter alcohol regulation. RNZ has obtained documents under the Official Information Act showing police estimate alcohol harm costs about 7.8 billion dollars a year, compared to $1.8 billion for illegal drugs. Coster says measures should be considered, including only letting bottle stores open in day-time hours and charging more for alcohol. Alcohol Healthwatch executive director Andrew Galloway says these aren't new ideas. "The Government have been presented with these recommendations by both the Law Commission in 2010 and the Ministry of Justice in 2014. So he's not wrong." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After hours clinics around the country are on the verge of collapse.   New Official Information Act data shows that 24 practices and clinics had to reduce hours or close due to critical staff shortages and cost pressures in the first eight months of 2023.  In Porirua, health officials are considering replacing overnight doctors with a telehealth service, which the local iwi says is unacceptable.  Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists tells Jack Tame that deliberately casualised medical staffing is exaggerating the issue.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has been warned that companies that could build and operate schools think it is too risky and are not interested. It has also been told financing school builds with public-private partnerships or PPPs, is unlikely to let the Crown dodge the risk of cost blowouts as much as it would like. However, the advice to the Education Minister goes on to conclude that the PPP model could be rejigged to overcome these barriers. Phil Pennington got the advice under the Official Information Act. Pennington spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Treasury data shows the cost of insuring a house jumped by more than 30 percent in some parts of the country, in less than a year. The data, released to RNZ under the Official Information Act, also reveals that while insurance is still widely available, some companies appear to have withdrawn online quotes for entire regions. A disaster economics researcher says the data is a taste of what could come as the risk of climate change-driven natural hazards increases. Kate Newton reports.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's bluff has been called - he had no authority to tell Auckland Transport to immediately stop work on projects funded by the soon-to-be scrapped regional fuel tax. Emails provided under the local government Official Information Act show within minutes of the mayor making his formal request public, a councillor questioned if he held such power - the answer was no. It came amidst a tense public exchange between Wayne Brown and Transport Minister Simeon Brown, over funding the city's infrastructure. Amy Williams has the story.

Act party leader David Seymour says there's “no question” there will be a reduction in the number of public servants under the coalition Government's watch.  Seymour spoke with Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB this morning following criticism of the government's proposed public sector cuts.  Ministries are on a mission to cut spending by 6.5 to 7.5 per cent before the Budget in May.  Finance Minister Nicola Willis has asked all departments to look for savings to “restore discipline” to taxpayer spending.  Correspondence from 11 ministries about their cost-cutting plans has been released to NZME under the Official Information Act.  One idea put forward at the Ministry of Transport was for staff to stay with friends rather than in hotels when travelling for work.  When asked specifically about that proposal by Hosking, Seymour said “it's not a bad idea”.  He said despite increases in spending, public services have not improved.  “Ten billion dollars, five million people... how did we get there is your question. The Reserve Bank and Adrian Orr and their infinite wisdom kept interest rates very low, and Grant Robertson turned the tap on.”  “There's no question there will be a reduction on a number of people,” Seymour said when asked of job losses.  The comments come during a week where Seymour has faced criticism for Government efforts to reign in public spending.  He's also found himself embroiled in a social media spat with the head of a publicly funded anti-extremism centre over cutbacks.  Professor Joanna Kidman, a director of the Centre of Research Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, lashed out at the Government on Tuesday night.  Kidman wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that she could “only assume that this Government hates children, most of whom will be poor and brown”.  “There is so much evidence that military-style youth boot camps don't work and are expensive,” she wrote.  Kidman also added that the Government “wants to snatch children's lunches” in response to Associate Education Minister and Act leader David Seymour describing free school lunches as “wasteful” public spending and arguing that the Government should cut them.  “Is this a government or a death cult?” Kidman wrote.  Seymour replied on X: “Some interesting views from a Jacinda Ardern and Labour appointee”.  Kidman has since made her X account private.  It is the second social media spat involving Seymour after earlier this week, he and Health Coalition Aotearoa co-chair Professor Lisa Te Morenga exchanged personal barbs over the Government's free school lunches programme.  Professor Joanna Kidman, director of the Centre of Research Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, He Whenua Taurikura.  Speaking to the Herald, Seymour said it was “really strange” for Kidman's comments to come from an organisation funded to bring people together.  “If people want to have arguments about the merits of the school lunch programme or the Government's boot camps for prisoners, there's lots of arguments they can make if they'd like to without getting into these kinds of personal attacks. Once you start doing that you're actually promoting division and extremism,” he said.  He said he believed in freedom of speech and the Government “should never lock someone up for their opinion”, but if someone entered a private contract, they took on obligations in terms of behaviour.  He said people who took government funding were allowed to criticise the Government.  Kidman has not responded to multiple requests for comment from the Herald.  Act Party leader David Seymour speaking at Waitangi. Photo / Michael Cunningham  -Jaime Lyth, Raphael Franks, and Benjamin Plummer LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KiwiRail is investigating if new overhead lines in Wellington were badly installed and may have been the reason commuter trains ground to a halt for hours in early January. At the time it said the problem was caused by days of hot weather but also that it was looking into whether there were faulty parts. Documents released to RNZ under the Official Information Act also reveal heated conversations between KiwiRail staff about the break down. The company says it is still looking into what happened and a report is due next month. RNZ reporter Nick James has been looking at the documents.

BusinessDesk launches its Business of Education series today, looking at the role of the private sector in education. Dileepa discusses Official Information Act figures which reveal a four and a half-fold increase (450%) in the amount the Ministry has spent on contractors over the last five years. And Trade Minister Todd McClay is in Abu Dhabi where he is vice chair for the World Trade Organisation's 13th Ministerial. He is set to chair a contentious part of the meeting which will discuss tariffs on digital services like Netflix.

The government has announced electric vehicle owners will now pay road user charges, costing drivers 76 dollars for every thousand kilometres. The charges will begin from April the first. That is despite Waka Kotahi documents released to RNZ under the Official Information Act last year, forecasting an increase in non-compliance and debt for customers. Transport Minister Simeon Brown spoke to Charlotte Cook.

Education Ministry documents reveal there were major gaps in the monitoring of charter schools between 2013 and 2018, some of which the government of the day declined to fix. The gaps included student achievement, finances, property and even whether the schools were attracting the priority learners they were intended to serve. The details come from "close out" reports completed in 2019 and obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act. RNZ education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Charlotte Cook.

There has been a massive drop in referrals for mental health disorders over the past eight years. Te Whatu Ora figures released under the Official Information Act show the biggest drop was in mood disorders, such as depression. Referrals for these plunged from just over 11,000 to around 3,000. Experts say the numbers show the mental health system is broken. Ashleigh McCaull has more.

There's been almost 150 reports of sexual relationships between teachers and students in schools in the last six years. Figures released under the Official Information Act show out of 148 reports, so far 21 teachers have had their registrations cancelled. But a survivor and a victim's advocate says instances of abuse are likely to be much higher than what's being reported. And a warning, Ashleigh McCaull's report contains details that may upset some listeners.

An internal police report paints a picture of a broken bail system, with bail checks made on offenders who are "convenient to check rather than high priority". The Bail Project Management Report, obtained by RNZ under the Official Information Act, shows this sometimes results in police needlessly hassling low risk offenders and failing to monitor dangerous ones. The report says just 0.4% of offenders - one in 250 - are automatically flagged as high risk. Police acknowledge that vastly underestimates the number of high risk offenders and accept their IT systems are not fit for purpose. Investigative reporter Guyon Espiner spoke to Corin Dann.

The Ministry of Health wants action against junk food advertising, which it says is helping send some New Zealanders to an early grave. Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show health officials want much stricter rules for food advertising. It also wants the Advertising Standards Authority to stop fast food companies using digital tracking techniques to target children. Guyon Espiner has the story - the latest in his series Off The Shelf, investigating the food industry and the obesity crisis.

The Labour government was warned earlier this year that removing GST from fruit and vegetables may not make them more affordable. Ministry of Health documents obtained under the Official Information Act show health officials are investigating using the tax system to combat obesity. They say there is growing international evidence to support a tax on sugary drinks but that taking GST off food might not work in New Zealand. Guyon Espiner has been investigating the food industry and the obesity crisis in the RNZ series Off the Shelf. Espiner spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Top health officials are pushing for sugar and salt limits to be set in food and fast-food portions to be restricted, in an attempt to halt the obesity crisis. Ministry of Health proposals for a sweeping crackdown on junk food are revealed in documents obtained under the Official Information Act for RNZ's investigation Off the Shelf: The Quiet Struggle to Stop us Eating Ourselves Sick. The documents show one government agency is already looking to introduce limits on how much sugar can be added to drinks. Investigative journalist Guyon Espiner has the story.

New Zealand is coming second and third in one of the developed world's most deadly competitions for children and adults - obesity. But a new RNZ investigation by Guyon Espiner, called Off the Shelf: The Quiet Struggle to Stop us Eating Ourselves Sick, reveals top health officials are pushing for sugar and salt limits and for fast food portions to be reduced. The Ministry of Health's proposals for a crackdown are revealed in documents obtained under the Official Information Act. Diabetes New Zealand chief executive Heather Verry spoke to Corin Dann.

There are pleas for extra security staff at two Auckland hospitals. Frightened health workers at Waitemata and North Shore hospital say have called security hundreds of times because of violent and abusive patients and visitors. Internal documents obtained through the Official Information Act show panic buttons were pressed just over 300 times, and more than 500 calls were made to security via the internal emergency number over a seven-month period. Over a thousand non-emergency calls were also made involving mental distress. Nurses Organisation president Anne Daniels spoke to Corin Dann