It’s been a fantastic year for Newsroom, and to celebrate, here is a list of our most read stories. Enjoy.
1. Dame Anne Salmond: A final, brief election thought
This election has not been a contest between left and right, but between different generations and philosophies, writes Dame Anne Salmond.
2. Politicians, police, and the payout
The clandestine taping of an employee by Government MP Todd Barclay has resulted in a secret payment from former Prime Minister John Key’s leader’s budget to make the issue go away. Melanie Reid reports.
3. Why no one wants to teach in New Zealand
The ongoing dismissal of research-informed professional development demeans the teaching profession in NZ. But it doesn’t have to be like this, writes the University of Auckland’s Stephen May.
A Family Court practice described as “barbaric” allows police to take children from their parents with no prior warning. The removals are used to enforce parenting orders, but are they harming the children the system is meant to protect? Melanie Reid and Cass Mason report.
5. Newsroom Investigation: National MP trained by Chinese spies
A National Party MP who studied at an elite Chinese spy school before moving to New Zealand has attracted the interest of our Security Intelligence Service. Melanie Reid and Mark Jennings report.
6. Election 2017 Live: It’s neck and neck in the polls
There are five days of campaigning to go and it couldn’t be closer, with National and Labour basically even in the polls and the rest jockeying for positions that could decide who is in Government after September 23. Bernard Hickey reports.
Meet Dot Smith. Everyone has a dream. Some let them go, and some hold on until they become reality. Melanie Reid was there with Dot and her family as Riverstone Castle become reality, brick by brick, over several years.
8. Election 2017 Live: National surges into big poll lead
With three days to go, the last TVNZ-Colmar Brunton poll has found National has surged into a nine point lead over Labour. Tim Murphy, Mark Jennings and Bernard Hickey report from the campaign trail.
9. Whaleoil, ex MP, PR man to face jury trial
Controversial blogger Cameron Slater, public relations man Carrick Graham and former MP Katherine Rich have failed in a court bid to knock out a defamation claim by three health experts. Tim Murphy reports.
10. Photos: Air NZ’s damaged 787 engine
Photos of one of Air New Zealand’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner engines which failed this week in-flight show damage to multiple turbine blades, at the rear, suggesting a part broke off and travelled through the engine. Tim Murphy reports.
