Wellington, Dec 19 NZPA - The Government's economic objectives have been inserted into a new policy targets agreement signed with the Reserve Bank, replacing the objectives of the previous Labour-led government.

National and Labour fought their way through pitfalls and panics in 2008 with the prize of election victory never out of their sights. NZPA Political Editor PETER WILSON reports on the year that changed the face of Parliament.

By Kevin Norquay of NZPA Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - This was the year New Zealand lost its most famous and treasured citizen, notched its greatest day at an Olympic Games, and voted for a change of Government.

By Kevin Norquay of NZPA Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - This was the year New Zealand lost its most famous and treasured citizen, notched its greatest day at an Olympic Games, and voted for a change of Government.

Putting Parliament into urgency and passing two controversial bills last week was the best thing the Government could have done for the Labour Party.

By Ian Llewellyn of NZPA Wellington, Dec 11 NZPA - Finance Minister Bill English says he is keen to find out what banks plan to do in terms of lending now they have a guarantee scheme in place.

The National-led Government has passed its first major legislation -- enshrining tax cuts and KiwiSaver changes into law. The Taxation (Urgent Measures and Annual Rates) Bill passed its third reading this morning by 68 votes to 52.

Wellington, Dec 11 NZPA - The National-led Government has passed its first major legislation -- enshrining tax cuts and KiwiSaver changes into law. The Taxation (Urgent Measures and Annual Rates) Bill passed its third reading this morning by 68 votes to 52.

Parliament is close to passing the Government's tax cuts legislation, with the Labour Party fighting the bill to the last minute.

Labour said last night it had forced the Government to admit low income workers would be worse off under its tax cuts than they would have been if the previous government's long-range package had been left alone.