A New Zealand man behind bars in Bali after allegedly being caught with 3.84 grams of cocaine does not have a criminal background and has never been to jail before, a relative says.

A NZ-born Australian faces up to 12 years in prison after police in Bali caught him with cocaine stuffed in his pockets.

Police have launched an investigation into the prison guards' union with a raid on the organisation's offices.

The safety benefits from banning lighters in prisons would outweigh threats of violence over the planned smoking ban, a prison guard says.

Squeeze on cigarettes is already causing fights, says a man just released from Waikato's Rangipo Prison.

Prison guards have been threatened with "the bash" when the ban on inmates smoking takes effect.

Corrections Minister Judith Collins today announced prisoners have 12 months to kick the smoking habit before a total ban comes in.

Smoking will be banned in all prisons from next year. Is this a good idea? Some say it could cause fights, others claim it will reduce lung cancer risks.

Department of Corrections bosses found taxpayers could be liable for lawsuits from prison guards exposed to inmates' second-hand smoke.

Carol Hirschfeld talks frankly about what she hopes is life-changing programming at Maori TV.

An emergency meeting has been called as the horticulture industry confronts what its says is the negative impact of cheap prison labour.