Wellington, May 4 NZPA - Using private advisors is no different from using Treasury staff to give ministers spending advice, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, May 1 NZPA - The Labour Party intends asking the Auditor-General and State Services Commission (SSC) to investigate the way the Government told public sector departments to hire ministerial advisers.

NZPA political reporters Wellington, May 1 NZPA - The Government is being accused of breaching political neutrality, and possibly the State Sector Act, by ordering departments to hire ministerial advisors.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, April 30 NZPA - Private sector contractors employed by ministers but paid for by departments are being labelled "hired guns" by enraged Labour MPs, who say National is circumventing normal hiring practices.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, April 30 NZPA - Ministers are being told to hire private sector advisers, with departments being required to pay for them, Labour says.

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - Housing New Zealand has released sensitive documents to tenants it was evicting. Earlier this month HNZ issued tenancy termination notices to troublesome tenants in Lower Hutt suburb Pomare giving them 90 days to leave.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Nov 22 NZPA - The Greens have added a ninth MP to their caucus while National lose one on today's final election results announcement.

By Ian Llewellyn of NZPA Wellington, Nov 21 NZPA - The final results for the 2008 election are to be declared tomorrow afternoon, but there are unlikely to be any major changes in the shape of Parliament.

Wellington, Nov 20 NZPA - Labour portfolio and ranking list. 1. Phil Goff - Leader, SIS 2. Annette King - Deputy Leader, Social Development 3. David Cunliffe - Finance 4. Ruth Dyson - Health 5. Parekura Horomia - Maori Affairs, Fisheries

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Nov 11 NZPA - A subdued Labour Party today had its first Caucus meeting after being thrown out of office.