Wellington, Oct 6 NZPA - A big rural lobby, Federated Farmers, says it is battling for changes to the way that councils are funded.

Wellington, Sept 20 NZPA - Presentations by Roderick Deane and Don Brash to a New Zealand Business Roundtable organised policy forum this month argued that New Zealand is a resource rich country and that exploration of Crown land should be allowed.

By Chris Ormond and Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, July 23 NZPA - Money could be put into improving teacher training so they were equipped to deal with special needs students, Associate Education Minister Heather Roy says.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - The 69-year-old man with Parkinson's disease and possible dementia who was charged with assault after grabbing the breasts of a woman in his care home would be excused from trial if he was found to have a mental impairment, Police and Corrections Minister Judith Collins

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Auckland, July 18 NZPA - Around 500 trade unionists banged drums and bellowed protests outside the National Party's annual conference today while inside it delegates cheered Prime Minister John Key as he announced sweeping changes to employment law.

Wellington, July 16 NZPA - A task force calling for extreme cuts to government spending has spent its whole three-year budget to pay its chairman, former National leader Don Brash, in one year.

Wellington, July 6 NZPA - Cabinet has signed off the final structure of Auckland's council controlled organisations, Local Government Minister Rodney Hide says.

Wellington, June 30 NZPA - On the eve of the emissions trading scheme (ETS) coming largely into effect Climate Change Minister Nick Smith was still squaring up to opposition and facing calls for the scheme to be reviewed or delayed.

Wellington, June 28 NZPA - The Government is seeking public submissions on the Regulatory Responsibility Bill.

Climate change policy can create endangered species, as Kevin Rudd found out.

Governments worldwide have grappled with various responses to greenhouse gas emissions and Australia's version of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) wasn't much different to ours.