Costello rejects 'premise' of questions around $575,000 contract to Chinese vape company RELX

Costello rejects 'premise' of questions around $575,000 contract to Chinese vape company RELX
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters says RELX's products work 'and all other evidence says so'. (Image: NZME)
Dileepa Fonseka
The Government has rejected the idea corrupt practices were at play during the awarding of a $575,000 vaping contract, adding that tape-recorded conversations at the centre of the allegations took place before the current Government was elected.At Parliament on Thursday afternoon, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello rejected allegations anything improper had happened with a contract awarded to Chinese vaping company RELX for products to be distributed to help people stop smoking.“The inference that this New Zealand Government ha...

More Politics

KiwiRail submits Marsden Point rail spur business case
Infrastructure

KiwiRail submits Marsden Point rail spur business case

Winston Peters says the 19km line to Northport is 'going to happen'.

Oliver Lewis 21 Jul 2025
Contractor costs climb as Scott Base spend tops $143m
Policy

Contractor costs climb as Scott Base spend tops $143m

Antarctica NZ spent $9.3m on contractors in five months this year.

Oliver Lewis 21 Jul 2025
UPDATED: ASB, ANZ offered settlement in class action stoush
Finance

UPDATED: ASB, ANZ offered settlement in class action stoush

ANZ immediately rejected the offer as a "stunt".

Pattrick Smellie 16 Jul 2025
High Court deals blow to flats once opposed by Luxon
Policy

High Court deals blow to flats once opposed by Luxon

Developer Box Property wants to build 70 apartments in suburban Auckland.

Oliver Lewis 16 Jul 2025