By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, June 29 NZPA - United States President Barack Obama faces an uphill battle if he wants to progress a free trade deal including New Zealand, a visiting expert said today.

By Chris Ormond of NZPA Wellington, June 24 NZPA - Administrations with forces in Afghanistan are confident the situation there will improve to a stage where it will be set to self-govern by the end of 2011, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says.

Wellington, April 19 NZPA - Following his trip to the United States, Prime Minister John Key remains confident New Zealand can sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the superpower. But he does not know when.

Wellington, April 13 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key caught up with President Barack Obama in Washington today following other high-level meetings with members of the US administration.

Wellington, Jan 20 NZPA - Mike Moore, a former Labour prime minister who has headed the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is to be New Zealand's next ambassador to the United States. Foreign Minister Murray McCully confirmed the appointment in a statement.

Wellington, Jan 12 NZPA - New Zealand and the United States will exchange diplomats on secondment under an arrangement to be signed on Friday, putting the two countries in an even closer relationship.

Wellington, Oct 11 NZPA - A senior United States diplomat is being tight-lipped about the prospects of New Zealand ever getting to the trade talks table with the world's largest economy.

Wellington, Aug 5 NZPA - A review of New Zealand's commitment to Afghanistan will be considered by Cabinet within the next two weeks, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says.

Wellington, July 1 NZPA - John Key has spent nearly $150,000 on travel since being elected prime minister.

Wellington, May 25 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key has added his voice to condemnation over the United States' decision to reintroduce export subsidies on dairy products.