Stories by Guyon Espiner

Lotto is being urged to drop plans to launch online Bingo, with an expert saying it could increase gambling harm in Māori and Pasifika communities

An expert warns Lotto is impacting poor communities "by stealth" and says it has hidden in the shadows as the spotlight shone on pokies.

Darryl Evans employed three family members, including his son who lived at the food bank, and when some were allegedly involved in a physical altercation, no action was taken, according to records.

Corrections has been breaking the law by gassing prisoners in their cells with a potent pepper spray called the Cell Buster, a High Court judge has ruled.

Police emails seen by RNZ reveal officers planned to hide "ninja styles" close to Shargin Stephens' house late at night to try and catch him breaching bail.

The whānau of a man who was fatally shot by police was blamed for leaking court documents by a coroner, despite there being no evidence the whānau had done so.

He's white, male, bald, rich and Christian, but he's also championed gender pay equity, worked to halt human trafficking and has climate change credentials.

Chief executive Darryl Evans has resigned and the board of the high-profile charity has appointed a Queen's Counsel to oversee an inquiry into allegations former staff have made against him.

After RNZ obtained a secret IPCA report that sheds light on the Armed Offenders Squad, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster denies 'shoot to kill' policy.

Why is the SIS subject to the Official Information Act while the IPCA is not? The chair of the police watchdog defends the secrecy but admits it doesn't have enough resources to do its job properly.

When police shoot and kill, they're investigated by fellow officers. Guyon Espiner reveals that shooters have been shown evidence in advance of being interviewed.

In a major u-turn, the police watchdog has found constant, late-night checks on Shargin Stephens were unreasonable and may have contributed to him lashing out, before police fatally shot him.

Lawyers who often act for vulnerable and low-income people could be paid extra if their clients enter an early plea under a new Ministry of Justice scheme to speed up the court process.

First person - Guyon Espiner can still remember the Steinlager ad campaigns of his youth, and years on, it remains impossible to escape alcohol marketing.

Police are trying to assume the online identities of suspects and defendants by taking over their social media and email accounts to gather information. Audio

An expert on America's 'supermax' jails says the way women are treated in New Zealand prisons is "extremely troubling".

Jerrim Toms' mum asked police to help her mentally ill son. They ended up shooting him as he ran away. Guyon Espiner investigates.

Many of the private law firms with warrants to prosecute serious crimes are failing to reflect the diversity of the regions they serve - even though it's a condition of their contracts.

Why do we give $41 million each year to private law firms to conduct public prosecutions? Guyon Espiner investigates.

Analysis - Guyon Espiner on how a leader may have plans for grand transformation, but they are often instead judged by how they react to events.

Highly confidential meetings where Pharmac ranks the funding priority of medicines are open to executive assistants, payroll staff and graduates.

RNZ is challenging a reporting ban that effectively prevents media publishing any information about the fatal police shooting of Rotorua man Shargin Stephens.

A Tauranga mother is moving to Australia with her ill daughter to access treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy that Pharmac won't fund. She has to leave her husband and son behind.

Labour MP Louisa Wall has accused China of harvesting organs from Uyghur and Falun Gong political prisoners.

John Key says China's human rights issues shouldn't hinder a close economic relationship, as he reveals the country's president sends him Christmas cards.