Stories by Farah Hancock
News
Fonterra accused of greenwashing to impress big foreign buyers
The dairy giant has talked up its 'regenerative farming' credentials. But critics say the claims are bogus. Audio
Why publicly declared political donations have more than tripled
Nearly all political parties currently in Parliament recorded a big jump in donations in 2023. What happened?
US presidential debate: What the data shows about who said what
An RNZ analysis of the first US presidential debate shows Trump dominated the first debate by more than 1000 words.
Fast-track legislation: DOC's OIA refusal was unlawful - Ombudsman
The Ombudsman found the Department of Conservation was both unlawful and unreasonable in its refusal to provide copies of its advice to ministers.
'Leave Pākiri out of it': Battle over over sand mining at beach
A battle over sand mining at a north Auckland beach has found a new arena at select committee hearings into the government's proposed law.
How the Fast Track Bill could boost concerts at Eden Park
Allowing events to be fast-tracked under proposed laws could 'streamline' the Auckland stadium's consultation with its neighbours, operators say.
Quarry company's fast track plea after NZ First donation
J Swap gave money to Shane Jones, and then to NZ First after it got into power. Now the company is asking for protected land to be opened for quarrying. Audio
Minister accused of 'gaslighting' over Fast Track questions
The Green Party says Chris Bishop's suggestion members of the public could submit their own projects under the Fast Track Bill is dismissive.
Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked
Not even the MPs supposed to be scrutinising the Fast Track Bill are allowed to know which projects could bypass rules.
Does 'Fast Track Bill' breach trade deals?
Key clauses in FTA deals are breached by the government's infrastructure bill, environmentalists say. A trade expert says they're wrong, but official advice remains secret.
National's spend-up on social media ads
Christopher Luxon fronted quirky social media videos produced by renowned agency Topham Guerin. But National wasn't the top spender on advertising overall.
How three men get unprecedented power from a coalition bill
What is the Fast Track Approval Bill and why do experts say it's a step beyond even the Muldoon era?
How politicians funded their campaigns - and who spent the most
Analysis: What the numbers show about the cost of winning an electorate.
$2m surge in election campaign spending
Lobby and campaign groups spent 13 times more on the 2023 election campaign than in 2020.
What parents are actually required to pay schools
Explainer: Some schools issue 'invoices' that look like they have to be paid. But parents should know what is and isn't legally required.
Parents vs tax-payers - who funds schools better?
The wealthiest schools get over a million dollars in parent donations - much more than schools signed up to a new government scheme.
Guess who's coming to dinner? The parasite that could be your pal
They burrow into your skin, crawl up your windpipe and end up living in your small intestine. But some people are happily hosting hookworms for research into whether they might improve a raft of…
What is it about Winston Peters and natural health products?
NZ First has enjoyed the financial and political support of part of the natural health sector for many years. They're celebrating the party's immediate action upon returning to power.
What if political donations were reined in?
What would happen if only voters - not unions or businesses - could donate to political parties? A plan to do exactly that exists, if the government wants to try it.
Who the parties targeted, how they attacked and their key messages
One party appeared to target its ads at women, and one at men, while another doubled down on aiming for the elderly. RNZ examines three months of data leading up to the election.
The election campaign fight for your eyeballs
Every political party poured money into online ads that flooded the internet for three months.
Hipkins' new attack lines on heavy repeat
Labour's leader brought out three new phrases to attack Christopher Luxon, and got them out with startling regularity in the final head-to-head debate of the campaign.
Publicity-shy 'promoters' spending up on the election campaign
Some of the most active campaigners are new to politics. Another promoter is a wealthy foreign businessman.