Stories by Katie Scotcher
News
Shaw's challenger says Greens must stop being 'Labour's little helper'
Green Party co-leader James Shaw is being challenged for his job by a climate activist, but says he's "quietly confident" he'll retain it.
Ex-Abuse inquiry director quit to head Ministry for Ethnic Communities
The head of the Royal Commission into historic abuse in care has left the inquiry to take up the role of chief executive at the new ministry.
Royal Commission into Abuse in Care asked to be more transparent about finances
Minister of Internal Affairs Jan Tinetti has asked the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care to change the way it reports its finances and to be more transparent when doing so.
'It's unacceptable' - Oranga Tamariki to review behaviour at units
Children's Minister Kelvin Davis has asked officials to get to the bottom of unacceptable behaviour exposed at Oranga Tamariki's care and protection units.
Govt intent on new law, harsher penalties for hate speech
Hate speech will become a criminal offence and anyone convicted could face harsher punishment, under proposed legislative changes.
Health Minister calls for faster funding rollout for mental health facilities
The government is facing increasing pressure over how quickly it is rolling out its record $1.9 billion investment in mental health.
NZ First is 'back' and Peters will remain the leader - Shane Jones
Winston Peters is leading his party into the 2023 election in a bid to re-enter Parliament, former New Zealand First MP Shane Jones has confirmed. Audio
Fears climate plan will hit those most financially vulnerable hardest
The government is being warned those living in poverty will bear the brunt of the Climate Commission's plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions.
Person who recorded 'verbal altercation' no longer at Parliament
The person who recorded the row between outgoing National MP Nick Smith and a staffer no longer works at Parliament.
National MPs unaware of Nick Smith's altercation until yesterday
National Party MPs are denying any prior knowledge of the "verbal altercation" outgoing MP Nick Smith is under investigation for.
Labour Party donations: Six defendants given interim name suppression
The six people facing Serious Fraud Office (SFO) charges over a donation made to the Labour Party will keep their names secret - for now.
Act leader confident 250,000 more people will support party by 2023
Off the back of its best-ever election result, the Act Party wants to double the number of its MPs in Parliament in 2023.
Act wants to give principals power to give high-performing teachers bonuses
The Act Party wants to give principals the power to award high-performing teachers potentially thousands of dollars for their work.
National MPs express diverging views on targeted funding for Māori
National MPs are at odds when it comes to race relations, offering differing views on Māori co-governance and targeted funding.
NZ Super Fund holds shares in firms with links to Myanmar military
The New Zealand Super Fund has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into a subsidiary of a company that has supplied combat aircraft to the Myanmar military.
Parliament debates Uyghur human rights motion
The wording of ACT's parliamentary motion was changed for a second time ahead of this afternoon's debate on China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims, which is now taking place.
Trade minister warns of genocide declaration repercussions
If Parliament were to declare the treatment of Uyghur Muslims as genocide it would "no doubt" hurt New Zealand's trade relationship with China, the Trade Minister says. Audio
Draft cabinet paper on future of He Puapua report revealed
A draft Cabinet paper has been prepared setting out the next steps the government could take in response to the report on achieving the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Report meant to create unity, not be 'divisive', author says
The author of a report described by National leader Judith Collins as "divisive" says she wishes it was not used as a "political tool".
Some survivors, advocates decry abuse in care inquiry changes
The government is being warned the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care will not produce a credible report because of significant changes it has made to the inquiry.
Abuse commission's power to investigate recent cases removed
The Minister of Internal Affairs has removed the Royal Commission's power to investigate modern care providers and recent cases of abuse.
Royal Commission on Abuse in Care told to rein in skyrocketing spending
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care has asked for three emergency funding top-ups because it had blown the $56 million budget meant to last another two years.
Office of Ethnic Communities accused of being insensitive
The Federation of Islamic Associations is accusing the Office of Ethnic Communities of being insensitive by scheduling community meetings during the holy month of Ramadan.
'Very surprised' at delay in mandatory testing register - medical expert
The government's move to make it mandatory for all testing of border workers to be recorded in a central register is being derided as months too late.
India travel suspension: 'Suddenly you're left to fend for yourself'
New Zealanders in India are devastated the government has taken the unprecedented step of suspending all travel from the Covid-19 hot spot leaving them stranded. Audio