Wellington, May 11 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key doesn't think a new law to allow Wanganui City Council to ban gang patches in some public places will make a big difference.

Wellington, May 7 NZPA - Wanganui Mayor Michael Laws has welcomed the passing of a bill giving his council powers to ban gang patches in some areas. He expects many other councils to seek similar legislation.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, May 6 NZPA - A bill banning wearing gang patches in parts of Wanganui passed tonight with the crucial support of three ACT MPs. The bill passed 62 to 59.

Wellington, May 6 NZPA - There was no connection between double bunking in cells and a riot at Northland Prison yesterday, the Corrections Department says. Parliament was told yesterday one prison officer suffered a suspected fractured shoulder during an attack by 15 prisoners.

Wellington, May 5 NZPA - Fifteen prisoners overcame five guards at Northland Prison near Kaihohe today, Parliament has been told. One prison officer suffered a suspected fractured shoulder, Parliament was told.

Wellington, April 16 NZPA - Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples says claims he is promoting a separate prison system for Maori offenders is stupid.

Wellington, April 7 NZPA - The Opposition got into a spin today over Tertiary Education Minister Anne Tolley's helicopter "joy ride" around Auckland.

Wellington, April 2 NZPA - The Government took the unusual step of putting a bill through all its stages in Parliament today as it moved quickly to fix a problem with the law covering the supervision of child sex offenders.

On April 9 the heads of 17 state-owned enterprises will be in the Beehive for a meeting they probably aren't looking forward to.

Wellington, March 16 NZPA - Labour is challenging the Government to accept lower dividends from state-owned power companies so they don't have to raise the price of electricity.