Stories by Carla Penman
News
Patrick Waru sentenced over stabbing attack on prison guards
Patrick Waru has been sentenced to seven years and 10 months jail for taking part in a violent attack on six guards at Auckland Prison in Paremoremo.
Prison staff shown on CCTV using 'potentially excessive force'
Three investigations are under way after two inmates required hospital treatment following an attack on a prison staff member. Audio
Small Auckland motels get raw deal with city's new bed tax
The new bed tax unfairly disadvantages small motels, says an Auckland motel owner who will have to to pay $7500 per year to promote the city.
Edgecumbe rates bump unfair - resident
A resident of flood-hit Edgecumbe is furious rates in the town are likely to go up to pay for the damage.
Risotto boxes used to replicate bricks of cocaine, court told
Cardboard boxes were used to replicate bricks of cocaine found inside a diamond-encrusted horse-head statue, a senior customs officer has told a jury.
Accused unaware of cocaine haul in horse head, court told
The lawyers for two men accused over the country's biggest ever cocaine bust insist their clients had no idea drugs were inside a horse-head statue. Audio
Gangs want govt help for their meth-addict members
Gangs, known for importing, manufacturing and selling drugs, are worried about their young, drug-addicted members and want the government to help them, says the Police Minister.
Surfer shocked to hear of another shark attack
A man bitten by a shark in a Southland bay three years ago says he's shocked to hear a woman had been attacked at the same beach. Audio
Northland police officer accused of historical sexual harassment
A woman who accuses a senior Northland policeman of sexual molestation over four years has told RNZ she was 'frozen' the first time the abuse happened. Audio
'They're not tolerating bad behaviour any more'
Ten years after a scathing report on how police handled sexual assault cases, the woman whose case sparked the inquiry says more victims are getting justice today. Audio
US helicopter maker rejects NZ crash report
A US-based helicopter manufacturer has criticised a New Zealand report into a fatal crash involving one of its aircraft.
Dairy owners 'constantly live in fear'
Dairy owners want cigarette companies to fork out for security to protect them from attacks.
Crime-hit Waikato businesses take security into own hands
Shopkeepers are installing bollards and metal shutters to stop criminals ram-raiding their stores. Video
Manuka 'gold rush' driving honey thefts
Beehive and honey thefts are continuing to rise and police believe organised gangs are responsible for most of the crime.
Surge in addicts prompts Waiheke's war on P
As Waiheke Island health teams deal with P addicts as young as 15, the community is banding together to fight its own war on methamphetamine.
Protection order complaint takes two years to investigate
Police have taken two years to investigate and uphold a Northland woman's complaint that a senior constable had failed to take seriously protection order breaches she reported.
Bomber who studied in NZ 'was just a normal person'
The former classmates of a Saudi Arabia bomber who studied in New Zealand were shocked to learn he planned an attack on the Medina mosque.
Woman living in fear says police didn't take her seriously
An Auckland woman who says she was strangled by her partner is accusing police of failing to take her case seriously.
Spike in meth use in North Island hits Women's Refuge centres
Meth use is increasing the workload for women's refuge centres, with one centre reporting the drug to be involved with 60 percent of all the cases they deal with.
Domestic violence survivor waits 2 yrs for police decision
Nearly two years ago, Ulanda Titford complained about the way police handled her ex-partner's repeated protection order breaches. She is still waiting for an answer.
Second Whakatane woman claims unfair rejection from police
A second Whakatane woman has come forward saying her application to join the police force has been unfairly rejected.
286 complaints against police upheld this year
There have been 286 complaints against police officers upheld so far this year, including dangerous driving, violence, unlawful searches and privacy breaches.
First three-way kidney transplants completed in NZ
The success of the country's first three-way kidney transplant matches has raised hopes that more, and quicker, transplants can now be done.
Wary banks blamed for dropped housing projects
Cautious banks are being blamed by some in the property industry for a lack of affordable apartments being built.
Claims of fight clubs at Wiri Prison - Labour
The Corrections Department has been investigating claims of organised fights at the Serco-run Wiri Prison, Labour says.