Stories by Ben Strang

The police have offered $650,000 in financial rewards in an attempt to solve crimes during the past eight years.

A New Zealander who is associated with Islamic State will return to New Zealand after their passport or citizenship of another nation was revoked.

But the government is defending the numbers, saying some funds are still under negotiation, and the police are still better off than they were under National.

Both police and government are claiming a successful firearms buy-back despite having no up-to-date estimate of how many guns they expected to be handed in.

It was Hurricanes hooker Ben Strang versus Chiefs halfback Ben Strang at the opening Super Rugby Aotearoa under-20 match in Taupō, RNZ reporter Ben Strang writes.

The Ministry of Health allowed a family to remain in the community for more than two days after escaping managed isolation during last year's first level 3 lockdown.

The government is being asked to consider appointing an independent person to review how counter-terrorism laws are operated in New Zealand.

Between 3000 and 4000 shops sell tobacco in New Zealand, but the Cancer Society would like that to drop as low as 200.

National is claiming that officers are facing a greater threat from armed gang members and the police association is calling for more training to deal with dangerous situations.

Defence Force staff working in managed isolation are facing double standards on their expectations for life outside of quarantine facilities.

The government's clampdown on firearms and seizures of high-powered semi-automatic weapons has had no impact on a rise in gun crime and violence in New Zealand. Audio

The year-long review identified abuse and intimidatory conduct, and sexist and racist behaviour underlying experiences of bullying within police.

The Ministry of Health says it has more than nine months worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) in stock at current usage rates, or over a month's worth at "high pandemic" use rates.

The government has granted the Covid-19 vaccine suppliers Pfizer and BioNTech indemnity from any claims that may arise from use of the vaccine.

Gay, lesbian or bisexual people are more than twice as likely to suffer from sexual violence or family harm than their heterosexual counterparts. Audio

A mobile speed camera parked between Davies Road and School Road, a 50km/h zone, has issued 18,294 tickets since January 2018, worth $1.135 million.

The government is not considering the introduction of specific hate crime laws, a move that's been called for by the Police Association and justice advocates.

Almost half the hate crimes reported to the police are being wrongly downgraded from a criminal offence, to either "incidents" in which no crime was committed, or to lower level crimes. Audio

America's Cup organisers have offered police four new boats to help them patrol the races on Waitematā harbour.

Half of the breaches between April and June were people who failed to return or were late to return after being granted an exemption to attend a funeral or tangi.

More than 100 doctors have come forward to put their names behind cannabis legalisation, in response to the New Zealand Medical Association's backtracking from opposing the bill to neutrality.

Anti-cannabis campaigners say the minimum age of 20 to use and purchase weed wouldn't stop young people from feeling the harm of legalisation.

The Medical Association has backtracked on its stance opposing the cannabis referendum, and apologised to doctors who feel they were misrepresented.

Some Grey Power members are unhappy with the organisation's stance in opposing cannabis legalisation, but the its president says yes voters within the association's ranks are a tiny minority.

The Medical Association says it did not consult with members before taking its stance opposing cannabis legalisation.