Wellington, Feb 22 NZPA - Justice Minister Simon Power and Attorney-General Chris Finlayson are working on a Law Society call for the Government to consider getting big law firms to do more pro bono work.

Wellington, Feb 19 NZPA - New Zealand's McDonald's restaurants had one of their best sales years ever in 2009, helped in no small part by the recession as more people turned to fast food, says the local head.

Wellington, Feb 18 NZPA - AMP Financial Services New Zealand managing director Jack Regan can see value in the idea of trying to turn New Zealand into a financial service hub, even though AMP sold its back office business in 2002.

Wellington, Feb 18 NZPA - Problems with Inland Revenue records mean hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are in the dark over their KiwiSaver funds, say providers.

Wellington, Feb 16 NZPA - United Future leader Peter Dunne is highlighting the case of a prisoner desperate to be rehabilitated but getting no psychological treatment. Mr Dunne got a letter from a prisoner serving a five-year sentence, which the New Zealand Herald reported today.

Wellington, Feb 16 NZPA - Former Prime Minister Helen Clark will have an early 60th birthday party at home this week and will also use her visit to pick up two recently announced honours.

Wellington, Feb 12 NZPA - A drawing Prime Minister John Key made of a silver fern has reached almost $20,000 in a Trade Me auction. Just after 8am the A4 drawing had reached $19,338. All proceeds of the TVNZ auction will go to the Cure Kids charity.

Wellington, Feb 9 NZPA - Education Minister Anne Tolley has urged people to look beyond the controversy surrounding national standards as processes get underway to implement it in primary and intermediate schools.

Wellington, Feb 9 NZPA - Drones that trick motorists using radar detectors into slowing down are just another method of speed control, Transport Minister Steven Joyce says. "I just think the whole thing is a bit of a cat and mouse game," Mr Joyce told reporters this morning.

Wellington, Feb 4 NZPA - Half of the members of the Order of New Zealand think it's time to change the New Zealand flag.