Wellington, July 26 NZPA - The Maori Party has announced its candidate to contest the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate at next year's elections.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - Extreme social and economic disadvantage faced by Maori has been highlighted as an ongoing concern by a United Nations indigenous human rights expert during his visit here.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - The Government has killed a bill that would have regulated loan sharks and capped the interest rates they charge.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - Rodney District Council's last ditch bid to avoid being swallowed up by Auckland has failed.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - Any minerals found in conservation land in Northland could re-open Treaty of Waitangi settlements with iwi who were told the conservation estate was off the table in earlier negotiations, Maori Party MP Hone Harawira says.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, July 20 NZPA - The ideological battle over the proposed extension of the 90-day trial period for new employees continued in Parliament today.

Wellington, July 20 NZPA - A United Nations indigenous human rights expert says he's seen some initial positives during an official visit to New Zealand, but will take a few months to comprehensively report on developments since his predecessor visited in 2005.

Wellington, July 19 NZPA - A United Nations expert on indigenous peoples rights will look at issues surrounding Treaty of Waitangi settlements and socio-economic issues faced by Maori during his six day visit to New Zealand.

Wellington, July 18 NZPA - The Government is attacking Kiwi workers' conditions and wages, unions and the Labour Party say after Prime Minister John Key announced extensive labour law changes.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Auckland, July 17 NZPA - The Government has Act Party support for extending the 90-day employment law to all businesses, but the Maori Party will probably oppose it, Prime Minister John Key says.