Defence Force letters sent to personnel being made redundant under the Government’s botched civilianisation project were insensitive and insulting, says Phil Goff, Labour’s Defence spokesperson.

Despite having known the scale of Solid Energy’s troubles for years the Government was prepping the company for sale just days before it cut 400 jobs and revealed it was in serious trouble, says Labour’s SOEs spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove.

New Zealand First says the report by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security into breaches of the Government Communications Security Bureau Act reveals bungles by the Minister in charge - John Key.

Education Minister Hekia Parata’s latest decision to keep Salisbury School open is the right one - it’s just a shame it took a court ruling, relentless community work and a major dose of negative press to bring the Minister round, says Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is comfortable with the response from the Office of the Auditor General relating to claims made against it by Transparent Hawke’s Bay.

The claim by the Inspector-General that the 88 cases of potential illegal spying did not break the law won’t reassure Kiwis who have lost confidence in the agency and its oversight, says Labour Leader David Shearer.

The National Government should put its GCSB Bill on hold and order an independent inquiry given the on-going uncertainty and confusion over the agency’s actions in spying on New Zealanders, Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said today.

The Green Party welcomes Education Minister Hekia Parata’s U-turn on closing Salisbury School but deplores the unnecessary fear and stress this mangled process has put families through, Green Party associate education spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said.

Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye will attend the Fourth Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, Switzerland this week.

She will speak at the opening ceremony today.

Pacific Minister Hekia Parata’s denial that she has cut funding from her Ministry’s Budget is an insult to Pasifika people desperately seeking the brighter future her Party promised, says Labour’s spokesperson for Pacific Island Affairs Su’a William Sio.

The Minister of Labour's comments about directors' responsibility for health and safety suggest the government is adopting the sort of hands-off approach criticised by the Pike River Royal Commission and the recent independent task force report on the issue, says Labour.

Auckland community leaders today sent a clear message to the Government that they do not want the dirty deal involving pokie machines for a convention centre to proceed, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today.

Contradictory explanations from John Key and Nathan Guy about why New Zealand meat is being blocked from entering China only add to the suspicion that there’s more to the issue than the Government is letting on, Labour’s Primary Industry spokesperson Damien O’Connor says.

Associate Minister for Social Development, Tariana Turia announced today an additional $8m over four years for the E Tu Whanau programme to help address family violence within Maori whanau, Pasifika, migrant and refugee communities.

The tragic death of a truck driver and the serious injury of another yesterday highlight the urgent need for government action say Labour MPs Darien Fenton and Iain Lees-Galloway.

Gisborne District Council is keen to find out what residents think about the services and facilities it provides and how easy it is to do business with.

The Green Party has decided to contest the Ikaroa Rawhiti by-election.

Nominations for the Green Party candidacy have opened and a candidate selection meeting will be held on Friday 24 May.

The Maori Party Members of Parliament have selected student representatives from their electorates to participate in Youth Parliament 2013.

Leaders of major schooling organisations in New Zealand are welcoming the Government’s decision to consult with teachers on the outcomes of a review of the Teachers Council.

There has been no cut to the baseline funding of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in the 2013 Budget despite reports suggesting otherwise says Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Hekia Parata.