Wellington, July 22 NZPA - Irrigation NZ (INZ) has welcomed the moratorium placed on new major irrigation consents on Canterbury's Hurunui River yesterday, saying it was commonsense where no proper water plan exists.

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 - Opposition MPs have welcomed the moratorium placed on new major irrigation consents on Canterbury's Hurunui River but want further protection.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, July 19 NZPA - Employees should not be worried about getting a medical certificate if they are genuinely unwell, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says. "It shouldn't worry any employee who is not trying to pull a sickie," she told NZPA.

Wellington, July 9 NZPA - Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says he is considering a tax rebate on health insurance premiums for people over 65.

Wellington, July 1 NZPA - Courts will be able to use video links to speed up cases under legislation passed by Parliament today.

Wellington, June 25 NZPA - Conscience votes in Parliament on liquor legislation often produce "perverse and unworkable" results and should only be used for important matters of principle like the minimum purchase age, says Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne.

Wellington, June 23 NZPA - Hunting lobbyists have hailed a new report advising the Government on how to set up a Game Animal Council which they hope will change perceptions of feral deer from noxious pests to potentially valuable prey.

Wellington, June 21 NZPA - United Future leader Peter Dunne has called for a "fresh look" at making health insurance premiums tax deductible after a leading health insurer said private sector costs were driving premiums up.

Wellington, June 20 NZPA - Labour's popularity has slumped following the credit card expenses scandal, a TV3 poll released tonight shows. The poll, of 1000 people, saw National's popularity increase to 55.3 percent while Labour fell to 30.5 percent.

Wellington, June 14 NZPA - Men's Health Week was officially launched today by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne. There were "simple and tangible" men could do to manage stress and maintain their well-being, Mr Dunne said in his opening address at Parliament this morning.

Wellington, June 11 NZPA - The Government would get rid of gift duty if certain concerns can be smoothed out, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says.

Wellington, June 9 NZPA - The Government wants to shift taxpayers into the electronic age, saving time, trouble and masses of paperwork.

Wellington, June 4 NZPA - National is back to its 50 percent-plus rating in an opinion poll taken after last month's budget and released tonight. The New Zealand Roy Morgan poll put National on 52.5 percent, up four points, while Labour lost 3.5 points and went down to 30 percent.

Wellington, June 4 NZPA - United Future leader Peter Dunne is warning the Government to be careful about selling state-owned assets.

Wellington, June 2 NZPA - Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne has severely criticised the Far North District Council for deciding to end water fluoridation.

Wellington, May 21 NZPA - An advisory panel will be set up to assist with the increase in goods and services tax (GST), Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says.

Wellington, May 4 NZPA - UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne opposed the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill when it passed its second reading in Parliament today.

Wellington, May 4 NZPA - Revenue Minister Peter Dunne was awarded the Henry A Rosso Award for his support of philanthropy. The United Future MP was presented with the award last night at the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) annual conference in Nelson.

Wellington, April 25 NZPA The gap is closing between the two main political parties, but National still has a commanding lead over Labour. According to a 3 News TNS poll issued tonight National is down 4.2 percent to 52.1 percent, while Labour is up 4.2 percent to 33.8 percent.

Wellington, April 14 NZPA - The Government wants feedback on a proposed change to stop foreign investors being over-taxed when they invest in New Zealand.

Wellington, April 9 NZPA - Support for National has dropped to its lowest level in a year, but Labour has not benefited from the move according to the latest Roy Morgan NZ poll.

Wellington, April 9 NZPA - Working to make the best use of pharmacists and greater access to new medicines are the next steps for New Zealand's medicine strategy, Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says.

By Kate Chapman of NZPA Wellington, April 7 NZPA - United Future leader Peter Dunne hit out at his peers in a speech today, saying the ACT party was too right wing for most New Zealanders.

Wellington, April 7 NZPA - Conservation groups are condemning a decision to allow a 80-metre high hydro dam to be built on the Mokihinui River north of Westport but many locals are welcoming the project.

Wellington, April 6 NZPA - Allowing a 80-metre high hydro dam to be built on the Mokihinui River north of Westport is wrong, the Green Party says. Meridian Energy today received resource consent for the dam.

Wellington, March 31 NZPA - Failing to repeal the Foreshore and Seabed Act would mean future governments would be left to deal with decades of grievances, Prime Minister John Key said today

Wellington, March 31 NZPA - The Government wants to end arguments about ownership of the foreshore and seabed by saying no one owns it and restoring the right of Maori to go to court to seek customary title.

Wellington, March 26 NZPA - Legislation allowing income splitting for tax purposes will be introduced to Parliament later this year, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says.

Wellington, March 19 NZPA - Fish and Game wants an iwi's duck shooting ban on Wellington's Pencarrow lakes lifted while an environmental impact study is done.