Waikato Regional Council today signed off on its 2013/14 Annual Plan featuring further reductions in rates increases while maintaining a range of service improvements.

New Zealand First says "super-sizing" Christchurch schools will do nothing to improve education and will only create jobs for pen pushers.

Len Brown is heading to Henderson for his next Mayor in the Chair, on Thursday 30 May.

He will be setting up his chairs at Westfield WestCity, keen to listen to people who live and work nearby share their concerns.

The Government needs to take note of the concerns of Christchurch parents who do not want their schools supersized, Green Party associate education spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said today.

Unite Union’s court case against McDonalds for unpaid meal breaks highlights the dangers of the Government’s plans to weaken rest and meal breaks, says Darien Fenton, Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today announced the interim decisions for the five Aranui schools in greater Christchurch affected by the Government’s Education Renewal Plans.

A group of University of Otago students has banded together this year to try and address some of the issues of child poverty and encourage discussions in the public and political arenas.

New Zealand First says Salisbury School and its supporters are an inspiration to all Kiwis fighting for decent treatment for young people less fortunate than themselves.

Maori Party candidate for Ikaroa Rawhiti, Na Raihania, is delighted that Tairawhiti DHB has signed up to the new national patient safety campaign, 'Open for Better Care'.

"Maori currently constitute 65% of admissions to Gisborne Hospital.

"It’s a weird day in a democracy when a report into Operation Eight identifies police actions that were ‘contrary to law, unjustified and unreasonable’ and the grand remedy is to amend the police manual," says Te Ururoa Flavell, MP for Waiariki.

The recommendations made by the Independent Police Conduct Authority after its investigation into Operation Eight must be fully implemented and reported back to the Government and Tuhoe people, says Labour’s Police spokesperson Kris Faafoi.

The Ashburton Zone Committee will meet for its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday 28 May to discuss local water management issues.

Commerce Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the Commerce Select Committee report on a bill to cut the financial reporting burden for smaller companies.

Upper Hutt Mayor, Wayne Guppy, is calling for residents of the Wellington region to demand more transparent information about options for regional governance as consultation outcomes suggest a lack of understanding and manipulation.

Today’s damning report into the Ruatoki raid shows a dramatic overhaul of police culture is urgently required, the Green Party said today.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report into the 2007 Operation Eight was released today.

Trade Minister Tim Groser will attend the Pacific Alliance Ministerial Meeting and Head of State Summit in Cali, Colombia on 22 and 23 May.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed the release of an Independent Police Conduct Authority report into Operation Eight.

"I am pleased that the IPCA has found that the Police decision to take action in 2007 was justified," says Mrs Tolley.

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board adopted the Takapuna Beach Reserve Management Plan at its meeting yesterday evening.

Justice Minister Judith Collins today opened a new multi-jurisdictional Customer Service Centre and marked the returning of full registry services to the District and High Courts in central Christchurch.

Tairawhiti District Health’s decision to become the first district health board in New Zealand to sign a certificate pledging support for the new national patient safety campaign has been welcomed by Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew.