Benedict Collins
The Week in Detail: Congestion, divorce, and toxic algae
The Detail podcast brings you the issues behind the news every weekday. Here's what we covered this week. Audio
Is a rethink needed on meth?
Meth dealers in New Zealand are driving increasingly sophisticated and profitable operations, so much so that police now call them "criminal business entities". Audio
'Mad on Meth', Benedict Collins' new book
New Zealand has a meth problem. Benedict Collins is a New Zealand political reporter and has covered the P problem for years. He says well-thought-out harm reduction plans in New Zealand have been… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - climate, cellphones and how not to spell cat
In this week's edition of Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Mark Leishman about one news broadcast foregrounding climate while another hones in on cellphones and Chris Luxon misspelling… Audio
Midweek Mediawatch - a Titanic amount of coverage
In this week's Midweek Mediawatch, Hayden Donnell talks to Mark Leishman about a titanic amount of coverage of the Titan submersible tragedy. Also: complaints about an unfair focus on… Audio
Focus on Politics: Meth meltdown
The apologies have been coming in thick and fast over the last week after the Prime Minister's chief scientific advisor delivered a king hit to the country's meth testing industry. It's now clear… Audio
Meth contamination & Housing NZ - analysis
Housing New Zealand's chief executive has apologised for using flawed measures on methamphetamine contamination to evict tenants and suggested it may pay compensation. Andrew Mckenzie told Morning… Audio
Meth evictions, Housing NZ guidelines, explained
There have been significant developments in the meth testing story this morning with the Housing Minister Phil Twyford telling Morning Report he is now apologising to state house tenants needlessly… Audio
HNZ tenants won’t get compo for flawed meth testing
Housing Minister Phil Twyford has been labelled a hypocrite for refusing to apologise or compensate tenants who were kicked out of their HNZ houses because of flawed meth testing guidelines. Video, Audio
Green Party demanding help for meth testing evictees
The Green Party is demanding the government put things right for the victims of what it describes as the country's methamphetamine testing hysteria. Benedict Collins reports. Audio
Moral panic over ‘meth myth’ led to needless evictions
A new report from the government's top science advisor Peter Gluckman has found that there's never been a case of someone getting sick from third-hand exposure to methamphetamine anywhere in the… Video, Audio
Some farmers criticise eradication plan as a waste of money
The government believes eradicating Mycoplasma bovis is possible as all cases can be linked back to one farm, but some farmers are warning it's already too late. Video, Audio
What's wrong with using a mobile on a plane?
Transport Minister Phil Twyford has been reprimanded after making a phone call on a plane after the aircraft doors had closed. Benedict Collins looks at whether what he did was a serious offence or an… Audio
Twyford loses CAA role after plane phone call
Transport Minister Phil Twyford has been stripped of one his roles and is apologising profusely after getting caught making a phone call on a plane. Mr Twyford offered his resignation to the Prime… Audio
'Too early' to make a promise on legal cannabis - Ardern
The Prime Minister won't commit to legalising marijuana even if the public votes for that in a referendum. Jacinda Ardern says it is too early to make that promise. RNZ political reporter Benedict… Audio
Vote on legalising cannabis on cards for 2019
New Zealanders may get to vote on legalising marijuana next year. The government is currently debating whether to hold the referendum next year because it's not sure holding it at the 2020 general… Audio
Cannabis referendum may come sooner than thought in NZ
The government is debating whether to hold the referendum on legalising marijuana next year. The Justice Minister Andrew Little says there's a view holding the referendum at the 2020 General Election… Audio
Govt points finger at Tonga over meth destined for NZ
The government has pointed the finger at Tonga saying it is a key transit route for methamphetamine and other drugs coming to New Zealand. Political reporter Benedict Collins reports. Video, Audio
Air traffic controllers demand toilet breaks
Air traffic controllers are worried there could be a major disaster if they're not allowed to take proper breaks. Political reporter Benedict Collins has more. Audio
Waiting list for state housing hits all time high
New figures show the waiting list for state housing has hit an all time high. And the government has also been forced to hike its maximum prices for Kiwibuild homes in Auckland and Queenstown by… Audio