Wellington, March 16 NZPA - The Government says it hopes the Japanese government will release anti-whaler Peter Bethune but will not interfere in Japan's court processes.

Wellington, March 16 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key has confirmed the Government will not be backing Auckland's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Wellington, March 16 NZPA - The Government has made a decision about whether it will back Auckland's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, but is not saying what it is yet.

Wellington, March 16 NZPA - New Zealand is ready to help Fiji as soon as Cyclone Tomas passes and damage can be assessed. Prime Minister John Key and Foreign Minister Murray McCully said help was on stand-by for the battered Pacific country.

Wellington, March 16 NZPA - The Government is expected to decide this week whether it will back Auckland's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games. An announcement is likely after Sports Minister Murray McCully meets officials and promoters today or tomorrow.

Wellington, March 15 NZPA - Rumours that the Government has decided not to back Auckland's bid to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games will be confirmed or denied later this week, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Wellington, March 15 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key says the Government can not intervene in Japan's legal processes to help anti-whaling campaigner Peter Bethune. The Australian and New Zealand Green parties have called for their governments to intervene over the case.

Wellington, March 13 NZPA - A $5.5 million reconstruction package for the Cook island of Aitutaki, devastated by Cyclone Pat, was announced today by Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully. Cyclone Pat ripped through the Cooks last month, causing severe damage on Aitutaki.

Wellington, March 10 NZPA - Career diplomat David Taylor has been appointed New Zealand's next ambassador to Indonesia.

Wellington, March 10 NZPA - The Labour Party has launched a petition against allowing commercial whaling to restart.