Prime Minister Helen Clark says she is pleased by another poll that shows Labour closing the gap on National. A TV3/TNS poll last night had Labour up 2 percentage points to 37 percent and National steady on 48 points.

A poll suggesting nearly half of voters want New Zealand First leader Winston Peters sacked as a minister reflects his party's lack of popular support, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today.

Prime Minister Helen Clark is heartened by the latest opinion poll which she says shows Labour retaining its core support. TV One's survey, released last night, showed National down one point to 51 percent support and Labour up two points to 37 percent.

Wellington, Aug 15 NZPA - New Zealand First thinks the Government has not done enough to implement recommendations of a report into local body rates and it will insist on progress from whichever party rules following this year's election.

Wellington, Aug 7 NZPA - The United States' dairy sector is looming as a major stumbling block for any New Zealand-USA free trade agreement (FTA).

The National Party is warning that a re-write of monetary policy would lead to higher inflation and push interest rates even higher.

Wellington, July 4 NZPA - The National Party is warning that a re-write of monetary policy would lead to higher inflation and push interest rates even higher.

Relief for the financially stressed should look at discretionary spending, not focus on tax rates, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says.

New Zealand First is calling for a tax free threshold for up to $5200 to be set and for GST to be reduced to 10 percent over three years.

Wellington, May 19 NZPA - The Australian and New Zealand representative on the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development says Australia will pull out of the bank in 2010.