Wellington, April 21 NZPA - A bill to ban anyone in prison from voting in a general election passed its first reading in Parliament today.

Wellington, April 21 NZPA - A bill to ban anyone in prison from voting in a general election passed its first reading in Parliament today.

Wellington, April 21 NZPA - United Nations declarations are often a first step towards binding conventions public law specialist Mai Chen said today, a day after the Government's affirmation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Wellington, April 20 NZPA - ACT leader Rodney Hide has lashed out at National for giving New Zealand's support of the United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous people, calling it an appalling act that would divide the country and saying it breached the agreement between the two parti

Wellington, April 14 NZPA - Maori Party MP Hone Harawira is backing calls for a tidal energy project to be put on hold until ownership of the foreshore and seabed is sorted out

Wellington, April 1 NZPA - Explosive language around the foreshore and seabed issue should be avoided if there is to be a lasting solution to the problem, Attorney General Chris Finlayson said today.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, March 30 NZPA - The Maori Party turned its back on the Government and voted with Labour in Parliament today when the bill that enacts welfare changes was given its first reading.

Wellington, March 16 NZPA - Concern is mounting over the intended use of council-controlled organisations (CCOs) to manage the bulk of Auckland's assets under the new super city structure.

Wellington, March 12 NZPA - Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres has again criticised Hone Harawira for making racially offensive comments, saying in a report released today political parties should have codes of conduct that did not tolerate such behaviour.

By Alastair Bull of NZPA Auckland, March 11 NZPA - An Auckland academic says smoking rates in New Zealand would plummet if tobacco products could not be displayed at shops.