Today's publication of research by the UMR polling firm showing that around 40 percent of Kiwis think we should get into bed with the Aussies and become their seventh state is not a surprising result.

read more

The Aotearoa Leagalise Cannabis Party today announced that they have formally invited ex-All Black Anton Oliver to stand for the party. Oliver is considering his options after signaling his intention to enter politics.

A political stitch-up seems to have been negotiated which has seen the unfortunate politicisation of Auckland's popular Pasifika Festival, Labour List MP Carmel Sepuloni said today.

New Zealand Embassy staff in Tokyo met with anti-whaling protestor Peter Bethune last night, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said today.

Submissions from the Tamaki Community Board and Tamaki residents, ratepayers and community groups have successfully persuaded the Local Government Commission to form two separate, single-member, Auckland Council wards from the originally proposed two-member Orakei-Maungakiekie ward.

Maori Affairs Minister Dr Pita Sharples has asked Te Puni Kokiri to work with local people to identify and protect any other wahi tapu at Te Anga, in the Waitomo district.

The Maori Party is praising the decision by the Aotearoa Women's Rugby Sevens squad to accept a late invitation to the Hong Kong Sevens, despite being denied access to the tournament over the past two years.

Christchurch-based National MP Nicky Wagner has welcomed this new service which will be rolled out nationally over the next two months.

"I'm really pleased that Linwood will be one of the first places in New Zealand to offer this service," she says.

CPAG totally supports Carol Beaumont's bill to regulate fringe lenders. (The Credit Finances (Responsible Lending) Bill).

The government's dogmatic determination to privatise ACC is now completely transparent, says ACC Futures Coalition spokesperson Hazel Armstrong.

It appears that the days of open entry to university and tertiary study in New Zealand are numbered.

read more

The increasingly desperate behaviour of Labour's education spokesman was criticised by parents attending community meetings on National Standards in Auckland last night, says Education Minister Anne Tolley.

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce has today released the Briefings to the Incoming Minister from the Ministry of Education, the Tertiary Education Commission and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

These documents are available on the Beehive website: www.beehive.govt.nz

A lack of Māori representation at all levels of the Super City is going to be detrimental to the future of Auckland, the Green Party said today.

NZ NEEDS ASSESSMENT SERVICE COORDINATION ASSOCIATION (NASCA) GENERAL MEETING

Hon Tariana Turia, Associate Minister of Health and Minister of Disability Issues

Friday 12 March 2010; 10am

Latimer Hotel, Christchurch

The Minister of Justice, Simon Power, leaves for New York tomorrow to present New Zealand's Fifth Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to the United Nations Human Rights Committee.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce will attend the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Aviation Security on 13 March 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.

The Government is determined to improve the health of Pacific people and increase their participation in the health sector, Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu said today.

Statements from opposition politicians claiming that the government plans to cut SuperGold Card public transport services is silly political scaremongering, says Transport Minister Steven Joyce.

The Green Party is warning that John Key's Government will offer already protected land in exchange for the protected land it wants to mine.