Leaving 135 public service workers in limbo is the worst possible way to start the restructure of health and safety in New Zealand, Green Party industrial relations spokesperson Denise Roche said today.

The health insurer at the forefront of encouraging the government to introduce tax incentives to enable elderly people to maintain their own health insurance is delighted the first step has been taken in parliament.

The Selwyn-Waihora Zone Committee will meet for the second time this year on Tuesday, 5 March, in Rolleston.

The Auditor-General’s report shows that the Government has not been treating biosecurity seriously enough and has been trying to do it on the cheap, the Green Party said today.

The Maori Party welcomes today’s announcement of a facilitator to engage government agencies and the Kohanga Reo National Trust in a joint work programme, to help resolve the Kohanga Reo claim against the Crown.

Roosters living in Hamilton have been given a stay of execution - for now - with Hamilton City Council today overturning a decision made last week to consider banning the birds from the city under a draft bylaw.

Ashburton District Council today resolved to ask Environment Canterbury to make an amendment to the Land and Water Regional Plan to allow time for further investigative work to be carried out, and for a sustainable work programme to be developed and implemented.

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has welcomed a report from the Auditor-General into biosecurity incursions, and says it will be carefully considered by the Government.

New Zealanders should be very wary of any moves by the Government to ‘review’ services at provincial hospitals, given the underhand way Health Minister Tony Ryall has introduced changes at Blenheim’s Wairau Hospital in Blenheim, Labour’s Health spokesperson Annette King says.

Minister Responsible for Novopay Steven Joyce today released the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report for Pay Period 24 of the schools’ payroll.

Child Poverty Action Group argues that the Education Amendment Bill (no. 4) puts some of New Zealand’s poorest children at risk.

The latest research, information and ideas on protecting and managing Tauranga Harbour will be the topic of conversation at a special gathering in Tauranga next Thursday (7 March).

A leaked memo from the Chief of Defence Force places responsibility for record attrition and low morale in the NZDF on the Government’s policy to civilianise military positions, says Labour’s spokesperson on Defence, Phil Goff.

New Zealand First is calling on all parties to support its Member’s Bill that would impose tougher sentences on criminals committing serious crimes such as operating a P-Lab when children are present.

The Waimakariri Zone Committee will meet for its second monthly meeting of the year on Monday, 4 March, in Rangiora.

The committee will begin the meeting by offering members of the public a chance to contribute, before it goes on to receive an update from the Regional Committee.

New Zealand First says National has no plans to halt the escalation of electricity prices which are destined to increase at a faster rate once the Government starts selling off its state-owned power companies.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully will meet his counterpart from the Solomon Islands, Foreign Minister Clay Forau, for official talks tomorrow.

A damning report that reveals New Zealand is at risk of a major biosecurity breach is the result of a Government determined to slash budgets whatever the cost, says Labour Leader David Shearer and Primary Industries and Biosecurity spokesperson Damien O’Connor.

Christchurch City Council has today agreed to revise the threshold for closing its social housing complexes that have undergone a Detailed Engineering Evaluation, following a notice of motion recommending the change.

With a focus on helping people off welfare and into work, benefit numbers have remained below predictions despite the economic conditions.