Wellington, July 26 NZPA - The Maori Party has announced its candidate to contest the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate at next year's elections.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - Extreme social and economic disadvantage faced by Maori has been highlighted as an ongoing concern by a United Nations indigenous human rights expert during his visit here.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - The Government has killed a bill that would have regulated loan sharks and capped the interest rates they charge.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - Rodney District Council's last ditch bid to avoid being swallowed up by Auckland has failed.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - Any minerals found in conservation land in Northland could re-open Treaty of Waitangi settlements with iwi who were told the conservation estate was off the table in earlier negotiations, Maori Party MP Hone Harawira says.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, July 20 NZPA - The ideological battle over the proposed extension of the 90-day trial period for new employees continued in Parliament today.

Wellington, July 20 NZPA - A United Nations indigenous human rights expert says he's seen some initial positives during an official visit to New Zealand, but will take a few months to comprehensively report on developments since his predecessor visited in 2005.

Wellington, July 19 NZPA - A United Nations expert on indigenous peoples rights will look at issues surrounding Treaty of Waitangi settlements and socio-economic issues faced by Maori during his six day visit to New Zealand.

Wellington, July 18 NZPA - The Government is attacking Kiwi workers' conditions and wages, unions and the Labour Party say after Prime Minister John Key announced extensive labour law changes.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Auckland, July 17 NZPA - The Government has Act Party support for extending the 90-day employment law to all businesses, but the Maori Party will probably oppose it, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, July 17 NZPA - Unions upset at moves they see as rolling back workers' rights say research by the Labour Department could have been designed to support Government plans to extend the 90 day employment trial period to all businesses.

Wellington, July 17 NZPA - Workers angered by moves they see as rolling back their rights intend to protest outside the National Party conference in Auckland tomorrow (Sunday).

Wellington, July 16 NZPA - National will break a pre-election promise if it goes ahead with plans to restrict union access to workplaces, Labour leader Phil Goff says.

Wellington, July 14 NZPA - The Maori Party has added its voice to calls for restrictions on foreign ownership of New Zealand land.

Wellington, July 14 NZPA - The Maori Party has kept a low profile over the arrest of anti-whaling campaigner Pete Bethune... until today. Maverick Maori MP Hone Harawira says Mr Bethune is a hero.

Wellington, July 13 NZPA - A Maori Party bill that would remove GST from healthy food could come up for debate in Parliament in the next few weeks.

Wellington, July 12 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key has acknowledged that former All Black captain Buck Shelford would be a popular replacement for Andy Haden as a Rugby World Cup ambassador.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, July 1 NZPA - "I was not pushed," Police Commissioner Howard Broad says. He announced last night he would not be seeking a second term. Today he shot down media reports that he was forced out.

Wellington, July 1 NZPA - Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples is setting up a youth council to advise him on issues affecting young Maori.

Wellington, July 1 NZPA - Police Minister Judith Collins thanked outgoing Police Commissioner Howard Broad for his "considerable contribution" in the position. Mr Broad announced last night that he would not seek a second term of office when his term ends next April.

by Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, June 30 NZPA - A former smoker bought his diseased heart to Parliament for MPs to look at today, just minutes before tobacco company Philip Morris' representatives fronted to defend their company.

Wellington, June 28 NZPA - Banning the sale of duty-free tobacco in New Zealand is not on the radar, despite urgings from anti-smoking lobby groups, says Prime Minister John Key.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, June 24 NZPA - Rather than kicking the tyres of MMP, the Government is putting the whole car up for sale, a political expert says.

The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is complex, confusing and difficult to get agreement on, but as New Zealand prepares for its impact from July 1 Climate Change Minister Nick Smith is confident the right balance has been struck. CHRIS ORMOND of NZPA reports.

Wellington, June 24 NZPA - More accusations of police pressuring young people to provide DNA samples have surfaced after Maori Party MP Hone Harawira went public with his own concerns.

Wellington, June 23 NZPA - The Police Association has welcomed the passage of a bill to restore the right of police officers to stand for election to their local council. The law change was passed by Parliament last night.

Wellington, June 23 NZPA - Police officers will be able to serve on local councils under a law change passed by Parliament tonight. Until now they had to take special leave during a campaign and resign if they were elected.

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - Some iwi will be able to meet the test for claiming customary title to parts of the foreshore and seabed, the Government says.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, June 22 NZPA - Young Maori who felt they were bullied into giving police DNA samples did not know their rights, Maori Party MP Hone Harawira says.

Wellington, June 22 NZPA - Police Minister Judith Collins says young people who feel police bully them into giving DNA samples should complain to the Independent Police Complaints Authority (IPCA).