Stories by Mackenzie Smith

Disgraced retired businessman Ron Brierley has been sentenced to 14 months jail with a seven month non-parole period for possessing images of child sex abuse.

A lawyer for Ron Brierley today argued that his client was a prolific hoarder who did not think there was anything serious about the photos he possessed.

MFAT approved the export of weapons systems to the United Arab Emirates despite officials warning they could be used in Yemen.

Air New Zealand has escalated signoffs needed for projects in the wake of revelations its subsidiary worked for Saudi Arabia's military.

The review was commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade after reports an Air New Zealand unit was carrying out repair work on planes for the Royal Saudi Navy.

MFAT approved export permits for military equipment that was sent to the UAE, a key partner in Saudi Arabia's military intervention in Yemen, in 2018 and 2019.

Analysis - Tokelau may have no prisons or court buildings, but that hasn't stopped New Zealand from leading a sweeping overhaul of its justice system, writes Mackenzie Smith.

MFAT granted export permits for military equipment that was sent to Saudi Arabia's forces in 2016 and 2018, raising concerns the government may have breached its human rights obligations.

A church in Auckland has been struck off the Charities Register after its employees stole millions of dollars in church funds, and poured millions more into dubious investments.

While there are no cases of Covid-19 in Tokelau, confirmed cases in managed isolation in Samoa have caused widespread alarm in New Zealand's most remote territory.

When nearly 20 prisoners stormed the roof of Waikeria Prison's high-security unit last Wednesday, lighting mattresses on fire and causing extensive damage, they had a piece of government policy firmly…

Opponents of a proposal for a big mussel farm in Auckland's Hauraki gulf are worried the project will destroy the local sea environment.

The Cook Islands government expects to confirm a "travel bridge" with New Zealand in the next week.

Hong Kong protesters in New Zealand are worried they could be arrested if they return home because they have attended political demonstrations here.

The skipper of the UK's America's Cup sailing team says he may not be able to prepare properly if the crew can't secure exemption visas to travel to New Zealand soon.

At least seven companies have been forced to change or take down advertisements referencing Covid-19 following complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority.

The Police Commissioner has ordered a stocktake of surveillance technologies after police trialed controversial facial recognition software without consulting his office.

An unapproved police trial of controversial facial recognition software conducted dozens of searches for suspects in New Zealand.

Minister of Justice Andrew Little says he does not know what police used the controversial facial recognition software in the trial for.

A new government awareness campaign for investment scams is considering targeting Pasifika churches after the multi-billion-dollar OneCoin cryptocurrency - labelled a pyramid scheme - was pushed…

The police's high tech crime unit handling the technology appears to have not sought the necessary clearance before trialling it.

A Tokelauan leader has drafted a referendum on the territory moving to independence from New Zealand to be held by 2025.

Experts say some Pacific island states, which rely on tourism from New Zealand and Australia, should be included in any proposed trans-Tasman bubble.

A Covid-19 centre in South Auckland tested 300 people not showing any symptoms of the virus today in a bid to reach at-risk Pacific communities.

New Zealand's national esports body says the industry is "about to explode", as Covid-19 restrictions flatten its competitors in the sporting world.