When Jenny Shipley was appointed health minister in the previous National government, she confidently told Parliament she would be judged on hospital waiting lists.

This was unwise, because the waiting lists didn't improve and she was indeed judged, loudly and often, by the Labour Party.

By Ian Llewellyn of NZPA Wellington, March 5 NZPA - The patchy state of the economy has been revealed by the latest set of government accounts.

Wellington, March 5 NZPA - Finance Minister Bill English is still warning of belt tightening in the upcoming budget, despite the Government's books turning up better than expected results for the first seven months of the financial year.

Wellington, Feb 22 NZPA - Agriculture Minister David Carter is travelling to Europe today to attend a meeting considering growing concerns over food security.

Wellington, Feb 22 NZPA - People were being more realistic about the economy, Prime Minister John Key said this morning following a poll last night showing reduced confidence.

Wellington, Dec 17 NZPA - Revenue Minster Peter Dunne has announced the signing two new tax information exchange (TIEA) agreements with Caribbean islands, bringing to 12 the number of TIEAs signed this year.

Wellington, Nov 12 NZPA - New Zealanders are able to get a prepaid mobile phone plan at prices lower than the OECD average for the first time since the Commerce Commission started analysing the industry.

Wellington, Oct 27 NZPA - Broadband subscriber numbers rose 27 percent in the 15 months to June to 1.1 million, Statistics New Zealand (SNZ) says. Broadband subscribers now make up nearly three-quarters of all internet subscribers.

Wellington, Oct 13 NZPA - Finance Minister Bill English visited investor markets in Hong Kong and London and asked to borrow $40 billion.

Wellington, Oct 2 NZPA - Telecom and Vodafone have put in their final offers to cut mobile termination rates (MTRs) accompanied with warnings about the consequences of regulation and the process.