Stories by Giles Dexter

Police Minister Chris Hipkins is defending the $6 million Crime Prevention Fund which has only helped five businesses and remains - for now - entirely unspent.

Families of men killed in the 2010 Pike River Mine explosion say new public service standards will ensure no families have to go through what they did.

With less than a year until its launch, Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson says he is willing to address opposition concerns over the independence of the new government funded public media entity.

A petition has been delivered to Parliament, calling for the Russian ambassador to be expelled, and for New Zealand to sever diplomatic relations.

Ngāi Tahu will get guaranteed representation and decision-making powers on Canterbury's regional council Ecan.

The government is also pledging $12m to rebuild Apia's Savalalo Market, a historic market which was destroyed by a fire in 2016.

Jacinda Ardern has acknowledged New Zealand's unique relationship with Samoa, as the two countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship.

Seven mayors around the country are toasting securing government funding, which will take care of crucial infrastructure in their towns or districts, and allow them to build more houses.

Mayors say the speed and scale of local government reforms are challenging local councils whose staff are "flat out" dealing with all the changes required by government.

As New Zealand once again faces record high inflation, National and ACT say the government needs to lower spending, reduce regulatory bottlenecks and cut taxes. Audio

New Zealand may be more than a year away from the next election, but as far as the ACT Party is concerned, the campaign has already begun.

An international relations expert believes the government's defence policy review will ask some fundamental questions of the Defence Force and its identity.

Tauranga's by-election candidates are split on how to tackle the city's crime. Audio

Tauranga is New Zealand's fastest growing city and the bigger it gets, the bigger the challenges.

The petition delivered by Te Pāti Māori calls to change the country's official name to Aotearoa, and begin a process to restore te reo Māori names for all towns, cities, and places by 2026.

Patient advocates say the devil is in the detail when it comes to exactly how Pharmac will address issues of inequity. Audio

Police Minister Poto Williams has told Aucklanders they should "absolutely" expect a decrease in gun crime after gang attacks in recent days, and arrests have already been made.

The election of left-leaning Labor across the ditch may mean a change for several pressing issues in New Zealand's relationship with its closest neighbour.

A producer of a documentary about Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick says there are serious discussions to be had about the impact of trolling on the mental health of MPs.

Advocates for New Zealanders who were stuck overseas and unable to come home are welcoming a High Court ruling which found the MIQ lottery system was unfair. Audio

Two deaths in the space of a week has prompted a Transport Accident Investigation Commission inquiry, and all ports are being asked to review their operations.

The United States has reiterated its intention to "respond accordingly" if China establishes a military base in the Solomon Islands.

The government's Flexi-wage scheme is well off track if it wants to get 40,000 people off a benefit and into a job in two years, National says.