By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, July 22 NZPA - The public information campaign about the referendum on MMP should be started early next year before people get too distracted by the rugby World Cup, politicians were told today.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, July 12 NZPA - Limits on how much money people spend arguing their view on MMP are needed or people might not trust the outcome and another referendum might be needed, an electoral expert says.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, June 24 NZPA - Rather than kicking the tyres of MMP, the Government is putting the whole car up for sale, a political expert says.

Wellington, April 22 NZPA - The bill that sets up a referendum on the MMP electoral system passed its first reading in Parliament today on a unanimous vote. The referendum will be held at the same time as the 2011 general election.

Wellington, March 25 NZPA - The Government has introduced a bill to Parliament which allows the 2011 referendum on the electoral system to take place.

Wellington, Feb 17 NZPA - Changes could be made to the Government's proposed election finance rules if political parties could agree on the them, Justice Minister Simon Power said today.

Wellington, Feb 17 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key doesn't think voters will abandon proportional representation when they get the chance to decide in a referendum that will be held at the same time as the next general election.

Wellington, Feb 16 NZPA - Removing limits on how much lobby groups can spend supporting their political allies during election campaigns is set to be a political battleground again.

Wellington, Feb 16 NZPA - The Government has released proposed wording for next year's referendum on MMP putting up four alternative systems for voters to consider. The proposed questions are: Part A Should the current MMP voting system be retained?

Wellington, Feb 16 NZPA - Proposed reforms of election spending include removing spending campaign limits on parallel campaigning, but requiring those who spend more than $12,000 to register, Justice Minister Simon Power said today.