By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, June 15 NZPA - As the Welfare Working Group explores ways to improve the welfare system and get beneficiaries into work Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has had to defend the reform.

Wellington, June 2 NZPA - Civil engineer and company director John Leuchars has been appointed as a director of KiwiRail. The three-year appointment starts on July 1, the same time new chairman John Spencer takes over from departing chairman and former prime minister Jim Bolger.

Wellington, May 26 NZPA - Membership of a board whose job is to set up a new market conduct regulator has been announced.

Wellington, April 14 NZPA - The government-appointed Welfare Working Group will consider unemployment insurance, similar to that in Canada, among options for reforming the social security system, says the group's chairwoman Paula Rebstock.

Wellington, April 13 NZPA - Former Commerce Commission chairwoman Paula Rebstock will head the Welfare Working Group to examine long-term welfare dependence, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said today.

Wellington, Nov 20 NZPA - A collection of high-powered people have been appointed to a board aimed at saving District Health Boards (DHBs) millions by consolidating backroom functions.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - A Chief Probation Officer role will be created to oversee a revamp of the Community Probation Service (CPS).

Wellington, Sept 4 NZPA - Former Commerce Commission chairwoman Paula Rebstock has been appointed chairwoman of the Insurance & Savings Ombudsman (ISO) Commission. She will take up the position from October 1 when current chairwoman Alison Timms completes her term.

Wellington, Aug 12 NZPA - The probation service's compliance with procedures for managing parolees has improved significantly, Corrections Minister Judith Collins said today.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, May 1 NZPA - An expert panel monitoring work to improve the performance of the probation service is looking at streamlining procedures and policies, ensuring staff have the right tools and looking at how performance is monitored.