Wellington, March 17 NZPA - The Government is not denying that the Ministry of Maori Affairs, Te Puni Kokiri, will run the new Whanau Ora welfare delivery service, although it says more than one department will be involved.

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - The National Party has ruled out supporting a bill introduced to Parliament by ACT MP Sir Roger Douglas seeking to allow for the reintroduction of youth rates.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, March 17 NZPA - New Zealand's record on human rights and challenges it faced were highlighted today as Justice Minister Simon Power spoke at the United Nations.

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - Government directives to speed up spending cuts are presenting challenges which the MidCentral District Health Board is finding difficult to achieve, a Parliamentary health select committee heard today.

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - One hundred and thirty jobs are proposed to be cut at the Health Ministry, Director-General of Health Stephen McKernan said today.

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - Maori broadcasting agency Te Mangai Paho (TMP) would be very concerned if the programmes they funded on Television One were moved to TVNZ's TV6 and TV7 channels, MPs were told today.

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - The New Zealand Superannuation Fund produced a 1.88 percent return in February even though the value of its holding in Telecom fell.

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - Health Ministry staff expect to be told of job cuts today. In October, Health Minister Tony Ryall said up to 500 jobs would go across the ministry and district health boards (DHBs).

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - Local Government Minister Rodney Hide is being accused of misleading Aucklanders as the row over plans for the new super city council hots up in Parliament.

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - Labour and the Greens are putting pressure on the Government over mining in conservation land, saying the public isn't going to accept it and ministers should come clean with their proposals.