Wellington, July 27 NZPA - Career diplomat Rod Harris will be New Zealand's next ambassador to Saudi Arabia accredited to Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said Saudi Arabia had a long-standing and warm relationship with New Zealand.

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 27 NZPA - Career diplomat Jan Henderson has been appointed as the next high commissioner to India.

Wellington, July 27 NZPA - Transport Minister Steven Joyce still thinks existing legal alcohol limits for drivers are "ridiculous" but he's not changing them.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key says it would be a surprise if Australia's Liberal Party proposal to drop migrant numbers applies to New Zealanders.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key denies breaking his word with the Council of Trade Unions over labour law changes.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - An examination of local government and its role -- including further amalgamations -- was announced by Local Government Minister Rodney Hide this morning.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key does not expect to be told who leaked government information despite an extensive inquiry by State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - People will come to New Zealand primarily to watch the rugby, not get drunk, during the Rugby World Cup next year, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - The Government has attempted to kick the issue of drink driving into touch by postponing a decision on whether to lower the blood alcohol, Labour says.

By Maggie Tait and Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, July 26 NZPA - Young people and recidivist drink drivers won't be allowed any booze before hitting the roads, but the Government is yet to make up its mind over whether other drivers should face lower limits.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - This year's Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting will be a chance to talk about development, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - Unions continue to voice strong opposition to sweeping new labour laws announced by the Government, saying the move is attack on workers' rights.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key says he will personally advocate for people to get out and vote at the upcoming local government elections.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - Cabinet may need more time to make a decision on whether to cut blood-alcohol limits for drivers, says Prime Minister John Key.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - The Pacific Islands Forum's stance against Fiji's continued military regime is expected to be reaffirmed when the forum meets in Vanuatu next week, says Prime Minister John Key.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - A move to require people to be licensed to own high-powered air rifles is long overdue, says the Police Association.

Wellington, July 25 NZPA - The National Party is still focused on fossil fuels, and its draft energy strategy is light on setting out plans on how to achieve a goal of 90 percent renewable energy by 2025, says Labour.

Wellington, July 25 NZPA - Owners of high-powered airguns will require a firearms licence within a matter of months, the Government announced today.

Wellington, July 23 NZPA - The Government's draft energy strategy prioritises unsustainable fossil fuels over renewable energy sources, a climate change campaigner says.

Wellington, July 23 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key will hold a summit with Association of Southeast Asian (Asean) leaders when he is in Vietnam in October.

Wellington, July 23 NZPA - New Zealand families are closer to being once again able to adopt Russian orphans.

Wellington, July 23 NZPA - A new youth justice residence in Rotorua will be officially opened by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett tomorrow. The residence will help provide places needed in response to the Fresh Start reforms which come into place in October.

Wellington, July 23 NZPA - The starting date for a moratorium on water use from Canterbury's Hurunui River has been extended to August 2 so the public can be properly notified.

Wellington, July 23 NZPA - The starting date for a moratorium on water use from Canterbury's Hurunui River has been extended to August 2 so the public can be properly notified.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - The Government has released a draft New Zealand Energy Strategy (NZES) and a draft New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NZEECS).

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - New Zealand's relationship with Vietnam and other members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) has been promoted during a visit by Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - A bill that will replace the 30-year-old Food Act was given its first reading in Parliament today. The 342-page Food Bill has taken three years to draft and Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson says it is a big improvement on existing law.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee today blamed the biofuel industry for the low uptake of a scheme to promote it. A scheme was introduced in July last year to kick start biofuel production in New Zealand.

Wellington, July 22 NZPA - The economy is showing positive signs of rebalancing with reducing household debt and growth in the tradeables sector, Finance Minister Bill English says.