Wellington, Feb 16 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key says it was "totally legitimate" for Meridian Energy to give the Department of Conservation money, if the payment was made to offset the environmental impacts of a wind farm.

Wellington, Feb 16 NZPA - The Conservation Department (DOC) rejects claims Meridian Energy bought its silence over a controversial South Island wind farm.

Wellington, Feb 16 NZPA - A deal made between Meridian Energy and the Department of Conservation over a controversial windfarm will be investigated before the Government responds to ethical questions raised.

Wellington, Feb 12 NZPA - Proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) will create a barrier for regular New Zealanders wanting to appeal developments, Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says.

Wellington, Feb 4 NZPA - National has dropped plans to rewrite treaty clauses in the Resource Management Act (RMA) in the face of opposition from the Maori Party and advice it was unnecessary.

Wellington, Feb 3 NZPA - The largest overhaul of the Resource Management Act (RMA) since it was introduced in 1991 aims to speed up consent applications and block frivolous or vexatious objectors.

Wellington, Feb 3 NZPA - The Government is making over 100 changes to the Resource Management Act as it overhauls the legislation which Prime Minister John Key says is a "handbrake on growth". Reforms include: * removing frivolous, vexatious and anti-competitive objections;

Wellington, Feb 3 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key says changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) to be announced this afternoon will be significant.

Wellington, Feb 1 NZPA - Details of the Government's rewrite of the Resource Management Act (RMA) will be released tomorrow, Prime Minister John Key said today. The changes would be "broadly in line" with policy announced during the election campaign.

Wellington, Dec 19 NZPA - Environment Minister Nick Smith has referred Mighty River Power's proposal for a 131-turbine wind farm at Turitea, near Palmerston North, to an independent board of inquiry.