Wellington, Jan 11 NZPA - The Government's failure to properly fund universities is the reason behind moves to exclude under-performing students, the Labour Party says.

Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - Councils that run polytechnics will be cut to eight, with four appointed by the minister of education and four by the councils themselves, under a bill passed by Parliament today.

Wellington, Dec 15 NZPA - The Maori Party has withdrawn its support for a government bill after its bid to have Maori members on polytechnic councils failed.

Wellington, Oct 7 NZPA - More than 180,000 people are likely to miss out on night classes next year following funding cuts, Labour says. In May's budget, funding for adult community education was cut from $16 million to $3 million, with the Government saying it paid for hobby courses.

Wellington, Oct 2 NZPA - Labour Party leader Phil Goff leaves tonight for Washington and New York where he will hold talks with senior members of the United States administration, congressmen and United Nations representatives.

Wellington, Sept 29 NZPA - The Government has released its draft tertiary education strategy 2010-2015 and says the aim is to improve achievement and build a skilled and innovative workforce.

Wellington, Sept 20 NZPA - Education Minister Anne Tolley is again defending cuts to night class funding, saying the Government is still spending millions on adult and community education.

Wellington, Sept 17 NZPA - Legislation to give a bonus to students who make extra loan repayments has passed into law. The Student Loan Scheme (Repayment Bonus) Amendment Bill was a National Party election promise.

Wellington, Sept 11 NZPA - The benefits of compulsory student union membership will be revealed when a select committee examines a proposal to scrap compulsion, says Labour.

One of the biggest opinion polls in New Zealand, the TV One-Colmar Brunton poll has just delivered another savage blow to Labour and its leader Phil Goff.