Wellington, Aug 30 NZPA - State-owned Genesis Energy returned to profit in the 12 months to the end of June, after the previous year's loss when the company reduced the value of its coal and gas-fuelled generation plants at Huntly.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - Former National Party leader Don Brash has proposed allowing people to choose to receive a larger pension if they retire later as a way of keeping people in the workforce.

Wellington, March 19 NZPA - A Labour MP says former National prime minister Jenny Shipley is to be put in charge of Canterbury's regional council but Environment Minister Nick Smith says such decisions haven't been made yet.

When Jenny Shipley was appointed health minister in the previous National government, she confidently told Parliament she would be judged on hospital waiting lists.

This was unwise, because the waiting lists didn't improve and she was indeed judged, loudly and often, by the Labour Party.

Wellington, Feb 24 NZPA - State-owned Genesis Energy lifted half year net profit to $64.6 million, compared to $48.9m a year earlier, even as it generated less electricity and prices fell.

Wellington, Oct 20 NZPA - Dame Jenny Shipley has been appointed chairwoman of Genesis Energy as part of a string of state owned enterprise governance announcements made today.

Wellington, Sept 11 NZPA - Dame Margaret Bazley has been reappointed Fire Service Commission chair, with former deputy prime minister Wyatt Creech deputy chair, Internal Affairs Minister Nathan Guy announced today. Dame Margaret has chaired the commission since 1999.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett's decision to release information regarding the total benefit entitlements being paid to two Auckland Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) recipients, Natasha Fuller and Jennifer Johnston smacks of nothing short of fascist tactics.

Auckland, June 12 NZPA - By-elections in New Zealand are triggered when seats fall vacant in Parliament, most commonly through the sitting MP resigning or dying.

Wellington, June 4 NZPA - Property and construction company Mainzeal has appointed chief operating officer Peter Gomm as its new chief executive.