(Adds quotes and reaction) by Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Jan 27 NZPA - The Government says its 25 cent increase to the minimum wage -- about $10 a week -- is all that can be afforded, but unions say it is miserly and the Labour Party want it set at $15.

Wellington, Jan 27 NZPA - Labour MP Trevor Mallard is to put up a member's bill seeking to increase the minimum wage to $15. His announcement comes the same day Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson is expected to announce a small increase from $12.50.

Wellington, Jan 26 NZPA - A decision on the minimum wage is expected to be announced tomorrow by Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Wellington, Jan 18 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key has ruled out a minimum wage increase to $15 this year despite 61 percent of New Zealanders supporting the hike in a recent survey.

Wellington, Jan 18 NZPA - A survey has found 61 percent of people support raising the minimum wage to $15 but Prime Minister John Key has ruled out that kind of increase this year.

Wellington, Jan 12 NZPA - No decisions have been taken on developing Auckland's Queens Wharf for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the minister in charge of the tournament said today.

Auckland, Jan 2 NZPA - The Auckland SPCA says it supports a draft private members bill which would raise the maximum penalty for ill-treating animals.

Wellington, Dec 22 NZPA - Revelations of high spending beneficiaries -- including a family with gang connections paid hundreds of thousands of dollars over 25 years including money to fence a pool -- were worrying, Prime Minister John Key said this morning.

Wellington, Dec 20 NZPA - The ACT Party is playing down a report that two of its MPs tried to roll leader Rodney Hide.

Auckland, Dec 10 NZPA - A return to specialist traffic police who can issue speeding tickets but will free up front line police for crime fighting is on the cards.