Wellington, Oct 1 NZPA - A survey of immigrants shows 45 percent of them have been attracted to where they live in New Zealand by a better physical environment and access to nature than in the country they left.

By Kent Atkinson of NZPA Wellington, Feb 9 NZPA - The Government plans to give water storage and irrigation projects a shot in the arm, and later this year will reduce regulatory "roadblocks" constraining the sector in Canterbury.

Wellington, Sept 15 NZPA - More than half of the 8000 houses insulated under the Government's scheme belong to low-income earners, Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee says.

Wellington, June 5 NZPA - Local Government Minister Rodney Hide says there will be growing support for Auckland's new local government structure as the process for setting it up continues.

By Dave Williams of NZPA Wellington, May 28 NZPA - The budget announcement of $323 million to help insulate and better heat older homes has been warmly welcomed but rapid uptake by homeowners could put installers under pressure.

Wellington, Dec 18 NZPA - The new Government has scrapped another Labour climate change measure -- passing legislation today that repeals restrictions on the building of new coal and gas-fired power plants.

Wellington, Dec 17 NZPA - Legislation removing restrictions on new coal and gas-fired power plants has passed its first parliamentary hurdle. The two-page Electricity (Renewable Preference) Repeal Bill tonight passed its first reading by 63 votes to 58.

Wellington, Dec 2 NZPA - Repairing rundown state houses which are causing health and social problems is a higher priority than building new ones, Prime Minister John Key says.

Prime Minister John Key says some state houses are in such poor condition the Government is in danger of becoming a slum landlord. "We have real concerns about the quality of the housing that's being provided," he said at his post-cabinet press conference today.

Wellington, Dec 1 NZPA - National says it is aware of problems with poor home insulation in New Zealand and will start by improving state-owned properties.