Stories by Phil Pennington
News
Te Whatu Ora confirms hospitals must save $105m by July
It says several districts have gone over budget in the past three months - and adds it is "reducing the overspend, not making cuts".
Hospitals asked to make more than $80m in cuts
The central health agency is asking hospitals to save more than $80m by July as part of a nationwide cost-cutting drive, according to figures sourced by RNZ.
$700,000 on Covid pins, now government department cutting costs
A government office that set aside millions for lapel pins for pandemic workers is now looking to cut back on spending.
GCSB refuses to release details of spy deal 'to protect interests'
The spy agency is refusing to release a copy of its deal with a foreign agency to run a secret operation out of this country.
National emergency response besieged: What have we learned?
The country's emergency response is besieged by inquiries, despite years of reviews and efforts to make laws that deliver.
Existing roads could be tolled, officials tell Transport Minister
Simeon Brown is being encouraged to look at charging for existing roads to relieve pressure on transport funding.
TVNZ still has money for IT upgrade, despite job cuts
TVNZ says it must press ahead with big spending on new technology, while also cutting news jobs and programmes.
Te Whatu Ora orders staffing clampdown in bid to save money
Health NZ has ordered an end to double shifts and imposed new limitations on replacing sick staff in wards during the day to save money.
Ministry proposes cutting one of its two senior fire engineers
The public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator.
NZTA pays compensation after bad roads damaged vehicles
The Transport Agency paid out $2800 on five claims for bad roads damaging vehicles, including potholes, in 2022-23.
Government IT systems need a $800m overhaul
The government is facing a bill of more than $800 million to overhaul back-office IT systems, and attempts to lessen its impact have hit delays.
Money pours into consultant bills at police, NZTA
The government is pushing to cut spending, but money was still going out of non-core areas in the latest figures.
Doctors at public hospitals vote on private health insurance
The move showed both dissatisfaction with Te Whatu Ora and concern about whether the public health system can cope with demand, union leader says. Audio
School classrooms contaminated with asbestos
A "sizable number" of schools have unsafe, residual asbestos which requires "immediate" intervention, ministry says.
Economists back finishing $240m Christ Church Cathedral rebuild
The company restoring the quake-smashed church warns it needs at least $30 million urgently or it will mothball it by August.
Officials tell government softer is better for boot camps
Tough boot camps won't work and could be detrimental, the government's own officials told it. Audio
'We have to give this idea a chance': Cautious approach to boot camps advised
They must take a therapeutic approach, rather than a 'scare-them-straight' attitude, the Human Rights Commission says.
NZ considers report finding Microsoft failures allowed Chinese hack
The US tech giant holds the data of millions of New Zealanders given to it by the government.
Companies 'not interested' in public-private partnerships for schools
Construction suppliers are worried about the risk involved in building and operating schools, according to official advice.
Defence Minister talks AUKUS in meeting with top US military contractor
Officials told the minister that Honeywell International, which holds billions of dollars in US navy, army and air force contracts, wants to invest to grow in the region.
Backtrack over tech for medical checks on pilots, air traffic controllers
Civil Aviation has done a U-turn over a new IT system, after doctors raised "serious concerns".
Project to replace Civil Registration system falls through
The multi-million-dollar project was meant to give people far faster and more secure access to their identity data online.
Oranga Tamariki IT overhaul leaves social workers without access to some information
A multimillion-dollar IT platform vital to safeguarding children at risk of abuse has lurched into the danger zone and had to be reset.