Phil Pennington, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) Journalist Profile

Articles

NZ plugs in to boost US Navy's space race with China

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Phil Pennington

New Zealand is becoming increasingly involved in operations designed to benefit the US Navy in its space race against China, even as the defence force denies its tentative steps into space have anything to do with military operations. The New Zealand Defence Force says the only two launches into space it has been involved with have nothing to do with military operations.
NZ plugs in to boost US Navy's space race with China

1 week ago | radionz.co.nz | Phil Pennington

New Zealand is becoming increasingly involved in operations designed to benefit the US Navy in its space race against China, even as the defence force denies its tentative steps into space have anything to do with military operations. The New Zealand Defence Force says the only two launches into space it has been involved with have nothing to do with military operations.
Defence Force to embark on drone shopping spree

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Phil Pennington

Do not buy drones that have not been proven for real in the Ukraine war. That's the message to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) as it embarks on a drone shopping spree from a major maker of air, sea and land drones. Samuel Vye - whose Tauranga firm Syos Aerospace has a capacity of thousands of drones a month and supplies the UK armed forces - said the NZDF had asked about Syos' experience of international makets, and of international operations.
Tāwhaki national aerospace centre pursuing companies to build launch pad

2 weeks ago | radionz.co.nz | Phil Pennington

The Tāwhaki national aerospace centre is making a new bid to grow as a testbed for drones, as it deals with new interest in rocket launches. Two New Zealand space companies were in talks about building a launchpad or pads at Tāwhaki beside Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora near Christchurch. Tāwhaki executive director John Holt said he could not name names. "Yeah, yeah, so, a little bit sensitive at the moment...
Access to space systems 'critical on the modern battlefield'

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Phil Pennington

The Defence Minister has announced an unprecedented half a billion dollars or more to spend on space operations as part of a new high-tech military push. The defence capability plan envisages $300-$600m of spending till 2029 for systems "that plug into partner networks to understand what is happening in space, especially to identify activities that might pose a risk to New Zealand's interests".
Auckland councillors raise concerns about national ticketing project

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Phil Pennington |Nick James

Auckland Councillor Andy Baker says it might be time to walk away from the national ticketing project. Cost clouds are gathering over the $1.4 billion New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) project that would allow commuters to easily tag onto public transport anywhere nationwide. The project has been beset by delays, and Baker, the transport committee chair, said he had discussed with Auckland Transport (AT) chief executive Dean Kimpton whether it should be scrapped.
Auckland Council raises concerns about national ticketing project

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Phil Pennington |Nick James

Auckland Councillor Andy Baker says it might be time to walk away from the national ticketing project. Cost clouds are gathering over the $1.4 billion New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) project that would allow commuters to easily tag onto public transport anywhere nationwide. The project has been beset by delays, and Baker, the transport committee chair, said he had discussed with Auckland Transport (AT) chief executive Dean Kimpton whether it should be scrapped.
Agency charged with emergency communications upgrade not funded for 111 changes

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Phil Pennington

An agency with nearly $2 billion to spend upgrading emergency communications says it has not been funded to upgrade the 111 system. Accident investigators this month asked the Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) agency to review 111 after risks and delays in a fatal boat capsize where five people died in 2022. They also asked the NGCC to set up a common communication platform for emergency services.
'There should always be a human in charge': Defence minister on NZDF's killer drones

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Phil Pennington

The defence minister has given the NZ military permission to acquire killer drones - provided a human is operating them and they only kill other soldiers. While one expert on weapons control says this is dangerous territory, another says it can work within the bounds of international humanitarian law. The new $12 billion Defence Capability Plan aims to spend up to $450 million on sea and air drones in the next four years.
Congestion from RiverLink project will push commuters to public transport, Metlink says

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Phil Pennington

Wellington's public transport operator Metlink expects congestion during big roadworks in Lower Hutt will push more motorists to catch the bus or train. The RiverLink project is scheduled to start in September, with the interchange on State Highway 2 connecting to a new bridge over the Hutt River not ready till 2031 at the earliest.