Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - Labour said tonight it had forced the Government to admit low income workers would be worse off under its tax cuts than they would have been if the previous government's long-range package had been left alone.

Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - The Maori Party says it cannot support the Government's controversial employment bill as it will hurt workers. Parliament is scheduled tonight to start debating the bill which makes it easier for workers to be sacked in their first 90 days of work.

By Ian Llewellyn of NZPA Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - Taunts from Labour's Trevor Mallard that Hone Harawira was betraying his people by supporting tax cuts have brought a blunt response from the Maori Party MP -- "I'd like to kill him".

Wellington, Dec 10 NZPA - The Maori Party will today mull over whether to support the new Government's bill to set up a 90-day probation period for new workers. The party's votes are not crucial to passing the legislation, which the government intends to do by Christmas.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, Dec 9 NZPA - Labour leader Phil Goff vowed to hold the new government to account for its pre-election promises when Parliament began the debate in reply to the Speech from the Throne today.

(Updates with latest version of terms of reference) Wellington, Dec 9 NZPA - A parliamentary inquiry into climate change policy will get the chance to question the science that says human behaviour is responsible for global warming, ACT leader Rodney Hide said today,

Wellington, Dec 9 NZPA - ACT leader Rodney Hide believes a parliamentary inquiry into climate change policy will get the chance to question the science that says human behaviour is responsible for global warming.

Wellington, Dec 9 NZPA - The Government is facing an outcry from unions and its opponents over plans to "ram through" a 90-day probation period for new workers before Christmas.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Dec 9 NZPA - The 49th Parliament opened for business this morning amidst pomp and ceremony, but only moments into its first session the gloves were off as MPs reverted to attack mode. The contrast between ceremony and reality was stark.

Wellington, Dec 8 NZPA - The 49th Parliament has opened with Prime Minister John Key saying his driving goal will be to grow the New Zealand economy and not be "distracted" by social engineering.

By Grant Fleming of NZPA Wellington, Dec 9 NZPA - A parliamentary committee inquiry into climate change policy will not relitigate the science that blames humans for global warming, according to new terms of reference.

Wellington, Dec 9 NZPA - Labour leader Phil Goff has attacked as arrogant and undemocratic the Government's decision to "ram through" a 90-day probation period for new workers before Christmas.

Wellington, Dec 9 NZPA - Labour leader Phil Goff has attacked as arrogant and undemocratic the Government's decision to "ram through" a 90-day probation period for new workers before Christmas .

Wellington, Dec 8 NZPA - Parliament's 122 MPs were sworn in today, 35 of them for the first time.

Wellington, Dec 7 NZPA - The first poll since the election has seen most parties retaining their support base, but a large increase in the number of people who think New Zealand is heading in the right direction.

Wellington, Nov 27 NZPA - Everyday heroes are needed to combat child abuse and crime, Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says. In a speech to the Maori Criminal Justice Colloquium in Hastings yesterday Mrs Turia said she was on a mission to find heroes.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Nov 22 NZPA - The Greens have added a ninth MP to their caucus while National lose one on today's final election results announcement.

By Ian Llewellyn of NZPA Wellington, Nov 21 NZPA - The final results for the 2008 election are to be declared tomorrow afternoon, but there are unlikely to be any major changes in the shape of Parliament.

Wellington, Nov 20 NZPA - The parliamentary office reshuffle is set to take place this weekend with the haggling over space almost complete.

(www.nzpaimages.co.nz) By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Nov 19 NZPA - John Key was sworn in as Prime Minister this morning, saying it was wonderful feeling.

Wellington, Nov 19 NZPA - John Key has been sworn in as New Zealand's prime minister. Mr Key, 22 other National ministers, and five ministers from support parties were sworn in at Parliament today.

By Grant Fleming of NZPA Wellington, Nov 17 NZPA - New cabinet minister Paula Bennett's life has gone full circle -- from being a solo mum on the domestic purposes benefit (DPB) to now controlling the benefit purse strings.

Wellington, Nov 17 NZPA - The Green Party wants the new National-led government to repeal the foreshore and seabed legislation. The Greens have always opposed it and supported the Maori Party's fight against it when it was passed by Parliament.

Wellington, Nov 17 NZPA - Reviewing Maori affairs spending is a low priority and could damage the government's support arrangements with the Maori Party, ACT leader Rodney Hide says.

NZPA political reporters Wellington, Nov 17 NZPA - Prime Minister-elect John Key will announce a 20-strong cabinet today and three other ministerial positions after he cut deals yesterday that secured a strong majority for his National government.

By Grant Fleming and Ian Llewellyn of NZPA Wellington, Nov 16 NZPA - Prime Minister-elect John Key has sealed a historic agreement with the Maori Party on a whirlwind day of deals that will give his incoming government a commanding majority on crucial votes in Parliament.

By Alastair Bull of NZPA Auckland, Nov 16 NZPA - Pita Sharples has been a leader for many years, but until five years ago he couldn't imagine himself as a politician.

Wellington, Nov 16 NZPA - Some quotes from today's announcements on deals to support the incoming National government:

Wellington, Nov 16 NZPA - A list of minor parties' ministerial positions outside of Cabinet in the incoming National government. * ACT leader Rodney Hide - Minister of Local Government, Minister for Regulatory Reform and Associate Minister of Commerce.

Wellington, Nov 16 NZPA - United Future leader Peter Dunne will be Minister of Revenue and Associate Minister of Health in the new National-led government.