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 - Labour MP Damien O'Connor is taking over the agriculture portfolio in the shadow cabinet, party leader Phil Goff said today.

Wellington, June 27 NZPA - The Progressive Party has re-registered as a political party but its members will continue working closely with Labour as leader Jim Anderton's tenure starts winding down.

Wellington, June 24 NZPA - Opposition MP Jim Anderton was told in Parliament today he was jumping the gun by asking how much of Northland's coastline would come under Maori customary title when the Foreshore and Seabed Act is repealed and replaced by new legislation.

Wellington, June 19 NZPA- Former Labour ministers Mita Ririnui and Parekura Horomia were sent 186 reminders between them about their credit card spending, it was reported today.

Wellington, June 4 NZPA - The Government has got its legislation through Parliament to set up Auckland's new super city council but it was a far from unanimous vote and most parties opposed the bill.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, June 3 NZPA - Parliament has passed the legislation that sets up Auckland's new super city council.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA

Wellington, June 3 NZPA - Opposition MPs are accusing Prime Minister John Key of breaking an election promise because he won't rule out selling Kiwibank after the next election.

Wellington, May 21 NZPA - Finance Minister Bill English is being accused of "economic vandalism" after saying today the Government was conducting a stock-take of its assets.

Wellington, May 9 NZPA - Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton has confirmed he will stand for election as mayor of Christchurch in October, and says if he wins he won't retire from Parliament until next year's general election.

Wellington, May 6 NZPA - Wigram MP Jim Anderton has confirmed suspicions he will run for the Christchurch mayoralty this year.

Wellington, May 5 NZPA - The Green Party received more big political donations than any other party last year because their MPs donate a percentage of their income back to the party.

Wellington, April 29 NZPA - The overnight increase in the price of cigarettes could prompt a surge in dairy robberies, a tobacco company has warned.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, April 29 NZPA - A packet of 20 cigarettes is going to cost about $11 after overwhelming support in Parliament for a stiff tobacco tax increase which is being greeted with a chorus of praise from anti-smoking lobby groups.

Wellington, April 28 NZPA - The Government was accused of hypocrisy and political gamesmanship tonight during the debate on raising tobacco excise duty.

Wellington, April 22 NZPA - Green Party MP Keith Locke has failed in his bid to let New Zealanders decide whether they want to keep a British monarch as head of state or elect their own non-executive president.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, April 19 NZPA - Wigram MP Jim Anderton is not ruling out running for the Christchurch mayoralty but is undecided. Media reports that he has agreed, or disagreed, to run for the 2021 party were wrong, Mr Anderton said.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, March 30 NZPA - The Maori Party turned its back on the Government and voted with Labour in Parliament today when the bill that enacts welfare changes was given its first reading.

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - A Labour MP's member's bill was defeated on the narrow majority of 62-60 in Parliament tonight.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, Feb 24 NZPA - Controversial changes to ACC were passed into law in Parliament tonight after nearly two days of fierce debate.

Wellington, Feb 18 NZPA - Accident victims who applied to ACC for surgery have been turned down on the grounds that their injuries were the result of "prior conditions" or "a gradual process", Opposition MPs said in Parliament today.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, Nov 25 NZPA - The Government's emissions trading scheme was passed into law today after months of controversy and two days of debate under urgency in Parliament.

Wellington, Nov 25 NZPA - The bill that sets up the Government's new emissions trading scheme was passed into law today on a 63-58 vote in Parliament.

Wellington, Nov 10 NZPA - ACT leader Rodney Hide has paid back taxpayer money he used to take his partner on overseas trips but other Ministers who did the same thing are resisting following his lead.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, Oct 28 NZPA - The public will get a chance to have a say on the Government's changes to ACC when a parliamentary committee calls for submissions on the bill.

By Peter Wilson of NZPA Wellington, Oct 27 NZPA - The Government's ACC bill passed its first reading in Parliament today after a tense debate and opposition claims that the scheme would eventually be replaced by private accident insurance.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, Oct 15 NZPA - ACC Minister Nick Smith has apologised for saying he would throw himself under a train because his family would benefit under ACC's current policy.