Wellington, March 7 NZPA - Victoria Cross winner Corporal Willie Apiata is still serving in Afghanistan, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp confirmed this morning.

Wellington, Feb 11 NZPA - Allegations of bribery within Housing New Zealand (HNZ) have prompted an increase in calls to the organisation's 0800 complaints line.

Wellington, Nov 29 NZPA - Labour leader Phil Goff is adamant he has not played the race card, as his nationhood speech last week continues to attract negative attention.

Wellington, Nov 12 NZPA - Hone Harawira fronts up to a hui in Kaitaia today over his racially abusive comments about white people but Maori Party leaders are staying away.

Wellington, Nov 11 NZPA - The Maori Party co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples will not be attending the Northland hui that will decide what action, if any is taken against their MP Hone Harawira over his use of taxpayers' money and abusive defence of his actions.

By Maggie Tait and Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, Aug 7 NZPA - ACT leader Rodney Hide says his MP David Garrett did not threaten a Labour MP.

Auckland, July 5 NZPA- The Westport couple who sold a queen size bed, with a house thrown in, are looking forward to their new freedom. Wayne Saggers and Kathy Wahrlich sold their bed with six-bedroom historical Westport house in an online auction for $302,600.

Wellington, June 15 NZPA - A minder for the Department of Labour's chief executive is necessary to sort out the "shambles and mess" at the immigration service, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, June 14 NZPA - New Zealand's immigration system is "unacceptable and it has to be fixed", Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said.

Wellington, May 20 NZPA - Labour's Mt Albert by-election candidate seems to have had enough of the media attention his National Party opponent is getting -- even though it is nearly always bad news. "We should move on," hot favourite David Shearer said tonight.