Wellington, July 12 NZPA - The Government says the bulk of its this year's main science funding round -- about $48 million a year -- is going into high-tech manufacturing, freshwater research, and boosting export earnings from primary production.

Wellington, July 2 NZPA - Science Minister Wayne Mapp says a new applied powder metallurgy centre at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will be the innovative hub of New Zealand's emerging titanium industry.

Wellington, July 1 NZPA - Pharmac board deputy chairman Stuart McLauchlan takes the hot seat of chairman from today. Health Minister Tony Ryall said Mr McLauchlan brought financial and governance expertise to the role.

Wellington, May 28 NZPA - A senior Australian politician's suggestion that Australian security services had forged foreign passports has credibility, according to a New Zealand academic.

Wellington, April 6 NZPA - The Maori Party has acknowledged the death of a Pakeha historian and say Te Arawa history will "never fade" because of his work. Rotorua's official historian Don Stafford died after a brief illness. He was 82.

Wellington, March 2 NZPA - Labour leader Phil Goff has again called for the Government to recall the Special Air Service (SAS) from Afghanistan, a day after Government revealed details about what is believed to be the soldiers' first gun battle in Kabul.

Wellington, March 2 NZPA - The involvement of New Zealand Special Air Services (SAS) troops in gun battles in Afghanistan does not put New Zealand at increased risk from terrorists, Prime Minister John Key said today.

(pics available www.nzpaimages.co.nz) Wellington, Feb 2 NZPA - Six of eight students today awarded special Maori scholarships were taught at kaupapa Maori Schools.

Wellington, March 2 NZPA - A security expert says the Government was right to reveal that SAS troops were involved in a fire fight in Kabul, but it shouldn't get carried away to the extent it might compromises their safety.

Wellington, Feb 15 NZPA - New Zealand's workforce is being hit by "premature ageing" and needs to boost its numbers, says a Waikato University researcher.