Insight

By RNZ

What's Insight about?

A weekly investigative documentary exploring what is happening in New Zealand and to New Zealanders here and overseas.

Best Factual Weekly Programme at the 2020 NZ Radio Awards

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Insight episodes:

03.22.2020
Cramped, rotting and risky - the scale of the hospital fix-up revealed
Insight - The state of many of the country's public hospital buildings is compromising medical care. For the first time there's been a national stocktake. Phil Pennington looks at what's wrong, and asks if it can be fixed.
03.13.2020
Lives put on hold by the mosque attacks
Insight - It is a year since the Christchurch mosque attacks, but many are still struggling to recover and to rebuild their lives. In the first six months following the shootings, Conan Young followed the journey of one of the...
03.08.2020
Ignored by the state - How Muslim women tried to warn of impending danger
The Islamic Women's Council believes it's likely the Christchurch mosque attacks would not have happened if the public service - including police and security agencies - had not ignored their repeated warnings. They have shared their submission to the Royal...
02.23.2020
Free speech vs hate speech: The government’s dilemma
Free speech crusaders say the sacred right to freedom of expression is under threat. But minority communities say a law change is needed to protect the most vulnerable.
02.16.2020
Farmers fear new water rules could push them under
The poor quality of our fresh water is a top worry for New Zealanders. But some farmers fear the new proposals might mean their farms are no longer viable. Philippa Tolley investigates.
02.05.2020
How NZ would fare during a world catastrophe
Is New Zealand ready to cope in a global catastrophe? John Gerritsen investigates
01.31.2020
Why prisons should help inmates to be good dads
Insight - Teresa Cowie heads inside prison to find how a focus on fatherhood could be channelled reducing reoffending
12.08.2019
The Keto Diet - Trend or Treatment?
Insight - Touted as a cure for diabetes, epilepsy and doomed New Year's resolutions to lose weight, the Keto diet is taking off in popularity. Insight reporter Teresa Cowie asks - it is a trend or a treatment?
11.24.2019
How schools will try to work around the donation-ban plan
Insight - The government's school donation scheme has not even started and schools are already looking for ways to push its rules to the limit. John Gerritsen investigates how far they will go to give students the best education they can.
11.17.2019
Forever home - Why immigrants chose New Zealand
Migration is shaping New Zealand as we head towards a population of five million. But why are people choosing to come here? Philippa Tolley attended citizenship ceremonies to ask newly minted New Zealanders why they picked this country
11.10.2019
Play time over: How Kiwi kids lost their freedom to roam
With New Zealand's population about to hit 5 Million for the first time Insight's reporter Teresa Cowie talks to five 5-year-olds from around the country to find out what it’s like to be 'the big 0-5' in Aotearoa today and...
11.03.2019
Everest Descent - Can Nepal get tourists exploring off the beaten track?
After years of rapid growth, New Zealand visitor numbers from China and India are slowing, now nearby Nepal is enticing more of its neighbours to "come visit". Lynn Freeman went to Nepal to find out how it's getting visitors to...
10.20.2019
Horse racing shake-up: Selling tracks and outsourcing the TAB
Forcing racing clubs to close their tracks and outsourcing the TAB could revitalise the horse racing industry, but as Max Towle discovers, some diehards won't accept change without a fight.
10.04.2019
Adrian Orr: The Reserve Bank governor taking on the Aussie banks
The Reserve Bank's Governor thinks the big 4 Australian banks are making too much money in NZ. Guyon Espiner investigates efforts to rein them in.
09.26.2019
The New Zealanders involved in the exploitation of Filipinos
New Zealand is a dream destination for many Filipinos. But many are exploited and New Zealanders are increasingly becoming involved in exploitation in the Philippines as well. Gill Bonnett investigates.
09.19.2019
Getting tough: How New Zealand could stop domestic violence
New Zealand has one of the highest reported rates of domestic violence in the developed world. The government has just put tougher laws in place to try stop violence in families. Kim Griggs has been asking, will this make a...
09.14.2019
Closed until further notice - a life on hold after the mosque attacks
Six months on from the mosque attacks in Christchurch, Ahmed Jahangir is still in pain after being shot, his restaurant is still closed and his chef can no longer cook as he too was shot. Conan Young has been following...
09.07.2019
Solo mums on benefits having to decide between food and fuel
Solo mums say benefits just aren't enough to raise a family and food banks say they're seeing unprecedented demand from parents. Sarah Robson investigates the Coalition government's promise to overhaul the welfare system, so everyone could live with dignity.
08.29.2019
Written off: The true cost of road deaths
At least one person is dying every day on our roads on average, and it's costing the country more than $5bn a year. Given that annual figure is more than we spend on transport infrastructure each year, Ben Strang investigates...
08.24.2019
Milk shake - Why the future of dairy looks scary
Dairy's huge role earning export dollars for New Zealand is facing a threat some say could bring it to its knees. Lab-grown milk protein is now stepping outside niche cheese and ice cream markets and into the bulk ingredient arena....
08.17.2019
Disappearing students: How NZ is wasting opportunities with our Chinese graduates
More than 100,000 Chinese students have studied in New Zealand in the past 20 years. What impact do those graduates have on the China-New Zealand relationship and is New Zealand making the most of their goodwill? John Gerritsen travelled to...
08.10.2019
Is Islamophobia still thriving in NZ?
After the attacks on the mosques in Christchurch there were pleas for unity and love in the face of evil and a huge outpouring of grief and support for the Muslim community. But did New Zealanders just pat themselves on...
08.03.2019
Tuvalu's fight to stay above the waves
Tuvalu is the poster boy for small island countries suffering from climate change and its very existence and that of its people is under threat. Despite the gloomy outlook, Tuvalu has big plans for its future and its leaders are...
07.26.2019
Can New Zealand's mental health crisis be cured?
New Zealand's mental health system is on the brink of a major overhaul, Health Correspondent Karen Brown examines the pressure points and asks what's needed to help those living with mental illness.
07.20.2019
Babies in Oranga Tamariki care - safe or seized?
Are too many Māori babies being taken into care? Māori news correspondent, Leigh Marama McLachlan investigates whether Oranga Tamariki is getting the balance right between keeping children safe and keeping families together.
07.13.2019
How closed adoption robbed Māori children of their identity
Under the 1955 Adoption Act, thousands of Māori babies were adopted into Pākehā families. Te Aniwa Hurihanganui investigates the impact on Māori who grew up desperate to re-connect.
07.06.2019
Time's up for volunteering
Volunteering is facing a crisis. Teresa Cowie investigates how essential services can survive as more and more people decide they can't make on going commitments to help out.
06.29.2019
Insight: Imprisoned by meth
In this award winning documentary, Insight's reporter Teresa Cowie heads inside prison to find out more about the impact of New Zealand's meth epidemic.
06.15.2019
Insight: Christchurch Attacks - Are intelligence agencies watching the right people?
The Christchurch mosque attacks have prompted claims the security agencies have wielded their powers in skewed and unfair ways. Have resources been wasted surveilling Muslims and virtually ignoring possible alt-right extremists? In this second part of a two-part investigation, Phil Pennington asks...
06.08.2019
Christchurch Attacks: What security agencies are keeping us safe?
Insight - The Christchurch terror attack happened apparently without any indication of danger being flagged. So who is supposed to be keeping New Zealand safe? In this first part of a two part investigation, Phil Pennington asks how comprehensive New...
06.06.2019
Insight: Chris Finlayson and Janet Reitman
Exnteded interviews with Chris Finlayson and Janet Reitman
06.01.2019
Beyond gas and oil: Can alternative energy save Taranaki?
Taranaki is wrestling with it's economic future after the government banned new offshore oil exploration. Robin Martin asks if alternative fuels could be the region's saviour.
05.25.2019
Has the NZ military shaken off its anti-LGBTQI history?
Insight - The Defence Force is working to improve its support for the LBGTQI community, but as Jonathan Mitchell discovered there are calls for investigations of sex abuse in the past.
05.18.2019
Australia Votes - Live election special
Live Australian election Insight special hosted by Philippa Tolley
05.11.2019
Forget me not: Starting a new romance when your partner has dementia
Insight - What if your beloved has dementia and doesn't know who you are anymore? Is it all right to start a new relationship with someone else? Teresa Cowie explores the tangle of emotions, family reaction and legal issues that...
05.02.2019
Anonymity on the internet and fighting extremism
Insight - The internet has helped those wanting to spread extremism and in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attacks anonymous forums have come under scrutiny. Max Towle investigates whether closer surveillance is the answer or whether free online discussion...
05.02.2019
Anonymity on the internet and fighting extremism
Insight - The internet has helped those wanting to spread extremism and in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attacks anonymous forums have come under scrutiny. Max Towle investigates whether closer surveillance is the answer or whether free online discussion...
04.27.2019
New alt-right political groups hiding in plain sight - investigation
Insight - As the government looks to build international action to counter hate speech and extremism on social media, far-right political groups and ideologies are growing and becoming harder to detect. Gyles Beckford has been investigating the emergence of new groups and...
04.27.2019
New alt-right political groups hiding in plain sight - investigation
Insight - As the government looks to build international action to counter hate speech and extremism on social media, far-right political groups and ideologies are growing and becoming harder to detect. Gyles Beckford has been investigating the emergence of new groups and...
04.13.2019
Provincial Growth Fund - slush fund or lifeline?
Insight - With $3bn heading to 6 regions under the Provincial Growth Fund, questions have been asked about how it's being spent and by whom? Lois Williams asks those getting funding to plant trees or run cultural centres in Shane...
04.13.2019
Provincial Growth Fund - slush fund or lifeline?
Insight - With $3bn heading to 6 regions under the Provincial Growth Fund, questions have been asked about how it's being spent and by whom? Lois Williams asks those getting funding to plant trees or run cultural centres in Shane...
04.06.2019
The shadow hovering over NZ's gun owners
Insight - As legislation to ban most types of semi-automatic and military-style guns, after the atrocity of the mosque attacks, works its way through parliament Philippa Tolley explores how gun owners are responding.
04.06.2019
The shadow hovering over NZ's gun owners
Insight - As legislation to ban most types of semi-automatic and military-style guns, after the atrocity of the mosque attacks, works its way through parliament Philippa Tolley explores how gun owners are responding.
03.31.2019
NZ's heart-breaker: rheumatic fever rates on the rise
Rheumatic fever rates are on the rise. Philippa Tolley talks to those living with this heart-damaging auto-immune disease and to those left behind.
03.30.2019
NZ's heart-breaker: rheumatic fever rates on the rise
Rheumatic fever rates are on the rise. Philippa Tolley talks to those living with this heart-damaging auto-immune disease and to those left behind.
03.10.2019
Growing Demand - NZ's budding cannabis businesses
Insight - With a cannabis referendum on the horizon Teresa Cowie talks to NZ's businesses gearing up for a possible law change
03.09.2019
Growing Demand - NZ's budding cannabis businesses
Insight - With a cannabis referendum on the horizon Teresa Cowie talks to NZ's businesses gearing up for a possible law change
03.03.2019
Strike! Why industrial action is up under Labour
After last year's stream of strike action, political reporter Gia Garrick explores what this means for the relationship between Labour and the unions and asks will it damage or strengthen this Government's chances politically?
03.02.2019
Strike! Why industrial action is up under Labour
After last year's stream of strike action, political reporter Gia Garrick explores what this means for the relationship between Labour and the unions and asks will it damage or strengthen this Government's chances politically?
02.17.2019
Fighting Nature's Fury - The Tasman Fires
Insight - As the battle against the Tasman fires continues, Alex Ashton reflects on the emergency response and questions whether New Zealand is ready for a future where fires like this could become more frequent.

What's Insight about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Insight episodes:

Cramped, rotting and risky - the scale of the hospital fix-up revealed

Lives put on hold by the mosque attacks

Ignored by the state - How Muslim women tried to warn of impending danger

Free speech vs hate speech: The government’s dilemma

Farmers fear new water rules could push them under

How NZ would fare during a world catastrophe

Why prisons should help inmates to be good dads

The Keto Diet - Trend or Treatment?

How schools will try to work around the donation-ban plan

Forever home - Why immigrants chose New Zealand

Play time over: How Kiwi kids lost their freedom to roam

Everest Descent - Can Nepal get tourists exploring off the beaten track?

Horse racing shake-up: Selling tracks and outsourcing the TAB

Adrian Orr: The Reserve Bank governor taking on the Aussie banks

The New Zealanders involved in the exploitation of Filipinos

Getting tough: How New Zealand could stop domestic violence

Closed until further notice - a life on hold after the mosque attacks

Solo mums on benefits having to decide between food and fuel

Written off: The true cost of road deaths

Milk shake - Why the future of dairy looks scary

Disappearing students: How NZ is wasting opportunities with our Chinese graduates

Is Islamophobia still thriving in NZ?

Tuvalu's fight to stay above the waves

Can New Zealand's mental health crisis be cured?

Babies in Oranga Tamariki care - safe or seized?

How closed adoption robbed Māori children of their identity

Time's up for volunteering

Insight: Imprisoned by meth

Insight: Christchurch Attacks - Are intelligence agencies watching the right people?

Christchurch Attacks: What security agencies are keeping us safe?

Insight: Chris Finlayson and Janet Reitman

Beyond gas and oil: Can alternative energy save Taranaki?

Has the NZ military shaken off its anti-LGBTQI history?

Australia Votes - Live election special

Forget me not: Starting a new romance when your partner has dementia

Anonymity on the internet and fighting extremism

Anonymity on the internet and fighting extremism

New alt-right political groups hiding in plain sight - investigation

New alt-right political groups hiding in plain sight - investigation

Provincial Growth Fund - slush fund or lifeline?

Provincial Growth Fund - slush fund or lifeline?

The shadow hovering over NZ's gun owners

The shadow hovering over NZ's gun owners

NZ's heart-breaker: rheumatic fever rates on the rise

NZ's heart-breaker: rheumatic fever rates on the rise

Growing Demand - NZ's budding cannabis businesses

Growing Demand - NZ's budding cannabis businesses

Strike! Why industrial action is up under Labour

Strike! Why industrial action is up under Labour

Fighting Nature's Fury - The Tasman Fires