By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - A bill to extend requirements for Fonterra to provide cheap milk to other producers, including competitors, passed its first reading tonight.

Wellington, Sept 28 NZPA - Government changes to rules about overseas purchases of New Zealand land do not protect the country's long-term interests, Labour says.

Wellington, Sept 20 NZPA - A poll suggesting climate change has slipped down the list of important issues for New Zealanders is not a reason to ignore it and risk further damage to the economy, the Green Party says.

Wellington, July 27 NZPA - A review of the overseas investment regime is likely to look at how to stop the sell-off large tracts of land to foreign buyers, Prime Minister John Key indicated today. The review was started by Finance Minister Bill English in March last year and aimed at:

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - The Green Party has drafted a bill seeking to stop overseas buyers snapping up large tracts of New Zealand land.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - The Green Party has drafted a bill seeking to stop overseas buyers snapping up large tracts of New Zealand land.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - Irrigation NZ (INZ) has welcomed the moratorium placed on new major irrigation consents on Canterbury's Hurunui River yesterday, saying it was commonsense where no proper water plan exists.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - Opposition MPs have welcomed the moratorium placed on new major irrigation consents on Canterbury's Hurunui River but want further protection.

Wellington, July 20 NZPA - Concerns doctors will be swamped with requests for sickness certificates because of employment law changes are groundless, the Government believes.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, July 19 NZPA - Employees should not be worried about getting a medical certificate if they are genuinely unwell, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says. "It shouldn't worry any employee who is not trying to pull a sickie," she told NZPA.