Wellington, Aug 24 NZPA - Legislation allowing workers to trade in their fourth week of leave for cash and giving employers the right to demand a medical certificate for one day of sick leave passed its first reading in Parliament today after protests from the Labour Party and the Greens.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - Australian companies are lining up for a piece of the action as the Government moves towards public-private partnerships (PPPs) to build and maintain new schools.

By Chris Ormond of NZPA Wellington, July 21 NZPA - The Government has taken another step towards public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the building and maintenance of schools, but Labour and an education union say the only winners will be the companies involved.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - If people want to disassociate themselves from students' associations when undertaking tertiary study they should not be able to do so simply for financial advantage, says former finance minister David Caygill.

NZPA political reporters Wellington, July 19 NZPA - The Government's employment law changes have provoked furious criticism from unions and the Labour Party.

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - Andy Haden is going to lose his job as a Rugby World Cup ambassador and he is likely to be told that tomorrow by the minister in charge of the tournament, Murray McCully.

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - Andy Haden hasn't been sacked from his role as a Rugby World Cup ambassador over his comments about rape, at least not yet. Minister in charge of the tournament Murray McCully says he will talk to the former All Black about his inappropriate comments.

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - Former All Black Andy Haden's future as a Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011 ambassador is in serious doubt after he made inappropriate comments about rape.

Wellington, July 8 NZPA - The venue for next year's World Cup "Party Central" is likely to be changed after Auckland Regional Council's about-face on plans for Auckland's Queen's Wharf, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, July 8 NZPA - The venue for next year's World Cup "Party Central" is likely to be changed after Auckland Regional Council's about-face on plans for Auckland's Queen's Wharf, Prime Minister John Key says.