Wellington, Oct 13 NZPA - A northern business lobby has backed the industry-led approach to ports rationalisation recommended in a government-commissioned maritime freight report -- but warns ratepayer-owned ports may have problems with such decisions.

Wellington, Sept 27 NZPA - The new Auckland Council has effectively raised $350 million before it comes into existence on November 1.

Wellington, Aug 18 NZPA - Ports of Auckland Ltd, New Zealand's largest container port, has posted a rise in annual profit as it controlled costs and handled more containers and more car imports.

Wellington, July 16 NZPA - Plans for party central for the Rugby World Cup in 2011 at Queens Wharf in Auckland are back on. The Government and Auckland Regional Council (ARC) reached an agreement on Queen's Wharf, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully said today.

Wellington, July 13 NZPA - Senior ministers are threatening to move some festival events around Rugby World Cup 2011 to other centres after problems with the Auckland "party central" site, it was reported today.

Wellington, July 11 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key says Victoria Park and the Viaduct are both options for the Rugby World Cup's "party central" after plans for a Queen's Wharf venue unravelled last week.

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - As Government MPs and Auckland Regional Council butt heads over plans for a Rugby World Cup "party central" on the city's Queens Wharf, Prime Minister John Key says he wants constructive discussions.

NZPA political reporters Wellington, July 9 NZPA - The Government and Auckland Regional Council are heading for a showdown over the unravelled plans for a Rugby World Cup "party central" venue in the city.

Wellington, July 8 NZPA - The venue for next year's World Cup "Party Central" is likely to be changed after Auckland Regional Council's about-face on plans for Auckland's Queen's Wharf, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, July 8 NZPA - The venue for next year's World Cup "Party Central" is likely to be changed after Auckland Regional Council's about-face on plans for Auckland's Queen's Wharf, Prime Minister John Key says.