Wellington, Sept 4 NZPA - The crown retail deposit guarantee scheme that picked up the tab for the collapse of South Canterbury Finance was hastily crafted in a war room in Wellington on a Sunday in October 2008 in response to fears of a run on banks.

Wellington, Aug 3 NZPA - Trans-Tasman airline Jetstar has called on the Australian government to drop local immigration checks and passenger charges for New Zealand-bound traffic.

Wellington, July 23 NZPA - Relations between Australia and New Zealand are not likely to be damaged following the leak of a diplomatic cable between the New Zealand High Commission and Canberra and the New Zealand Government, says a former diplomat.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is probing the leaking of a confidential diplomatic cable to an Australian newspaper. The cable, from the New Zealand High Commission in Canberra to the Government in Wellington, was obtained by The Australian newspaper.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is looking into reports that a confidential diplomatic cable was leaked to an Australian newspaper. The cable, from the New Zealand High Commission in Canberra to the Government, was obtained by The Australian newspaper.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - The Government is refusing to comment on reports that a confidential diplomatic cable was leaked to an Australian newspaper. The cable, from the New Zealand High Commission in Canberra to the Government, was obtained by The Australian newspaper.

Wellington, June 30 NZPA - The Government rejected an Australian request for a joint Anzac force in Afghanistan because it would put more New Zealand soldiers at risk, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Climate change policy can create endangered species, as Kevin Rudd found out.

Governments worldwide have grappled with various responses to greenhouse gas emissions and Australia's version of an emissions trading scheme (ETS) wasn't much different to ours.

Wellington, June 28 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key expects an Australian general election to take place in the next six weeks. Former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd stepped down last week after it became clear he would lose a party leadership vote he was forced to call.

Wellington, June 27 NZPA - New Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is likely to make an official visit to New Zealand sooner rather than later, an Australian Labor Party strategist says.