Wellington, March 18 NZPA - An iwi has told the Government it wants to block duck shooters from Wellington's Pencarrow Lakes because some have been acting irresponsibly and they fear the spread of a noxious weed to the area.

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

Wellington, Feb 25 NZPA - More than 100 people, some carrying transistors tuned in to Radio New Zealand, turned up outside Parliament today to protest a funding freeze.

Wellington, Feb 22 NZPA - People were being more realistic about the economy, Prime Minister John Key said this morning following a poll last night showing reduced confidence.

Wellington, Feb 21 NZPA - New Zealand has come out of recession but confidence that the economy will get better over the next 12 months is slightly down compared to November, a new poll out tonight shows.

Wellington, Feb 18 NZPA - A cost-cutting directive from the Government to Radio New Zealand (RNZ) has been taken by unions and opposition MPs as political interference and a blow to the public broadcaster's ability to maintain standards and independence.

Wellington, Jan 31 NZPA - Labour has already chosen its 2011 election candidates for Auckland Central, West Coast-Tasman, Ohariu and Maungakiekie.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA Wellington, Jan 28 NZPA - After 13 love-hate years in Parliament, Green Party founding member and former co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons leaves next month.

Wellington, Jan 13 NZPA - Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says the new payroll giving scheme is off to a good start and has the potential to make a big difference to donations to charities. The scheme, promoted by Mr Dunne's United Future Party, came into effect on January 7.

Wellington, Dec 22 NZPA - United Future leader Peter Dunne isn't producing his annual list of Parliament's most badly behaved MPs this year, but says there's one exception he couldn't ignore -- Labour's Trevor Mallard.

Wellington, Dec 21 NZPA - The Government is working on new ways to deliver welfare and United Future leader Peter Dunne says community agencies should return as primary providers. "We need to return to the old notion of supporting communities caring for themselves," he said today.

Wellington, Dec 16 NZPA - The income threshold at which New Zealand-based borrowers must start paying back their student loans will remain at $19,084 for the 2010-2011 tax year, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne announced today.

Wellington, Nov 30 NZPA - Reaction to the 2025 Taskforce has predictably fallen along where people stand on the political spectrum. Following are some quotes that summarise the reaction:

Wellington, Nov 26 NZPA - Government and local authorities need to crack down on polluters, United Future leader Peter Dunne said today.

Wellington, Nov 15 NZPA - United Future leader Peter Dunne said his bill to raise the driving age was already before a select committee and the Government should use it.

By Tony Gee for NZPA Kaitaia, Nov 12 NZPA - Firebrand MP Hone Harawira has been given two weeks to decide if he wants to remain a Maori Party MP, in the wake of his racially abusive comments about white people.

Wellington, Nov 12 NZPA - Hone Harawira fronts up to a hui in Kaitaia today over his racially abusive comments about white people but Maori Party leaders are staying away.

Wellington, Nov 11 NZPA - The Maori Party co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples will not be attending the Northland hui that will decide what action, if any is taken against their MP Hone Harawira over his use of taxpayers' money and abusive defence of his actions.

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.

Wellington, Nov 6 NZPA - The latest political poll shows National still holding high levels of support. The New Zealand Roy Morgan poll found 55 percent of all voters backed National, up 2.5 percentage points from the last poll by the company.

Wellington, Oct 20 NZPA - The Government's announcement that there will be a referendum on MMP has been supported by other parties in Parliament. * Labour leader Phil Goff said it was appropriate after having MMP in place for nearly 15 years.

Wellington, Oct 13 NZPA - The latest opinion poll has shown National bouncing back to record its highest levels of support in years. The NZ Morgan poll showed support for National running at 57.5 percent.

Wellington, Sept 27 NZPA - The public can now have their say on the establishment of a Big Game Hunting Council. Associate Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said the discussion paper on the council was released this week and was open for submissions until November 23.

Wellington, Sept 23 NZPA - MP Peter Dunne's proposed timetable for New Zealand to become a republic is set out in a book he launched tonight. The United Future leader has previously explained it could take only five years and the New Zealand Republican Handbook explains how.

Wellington, Sept 21 NZPA - National has seen its biggest drop in popularity since the election, but is still polling over 50 percent. The latest New Zealand Morgan poll showed National fell five points to 51.5 percent, the New Zealand Herald reported.

By Ian Llewellyn of NZPA Wellington, Sept 17 NZPA - Labour and National should put aside their egos and restart talks on an emissions trading scheme, United Future leader Peter Dunne said today.

Wellington, Sept 9 NZPA - Those taking part in attempts to gain agreement between National and Labour on an emissions trading scheme (ETS) are refusing to comment on progress.

Wellington, Sept 8 NZPA - Talks to build a grand coalition on an emissions trading scheme (ETS) have been held tonight, but those taking part are refusing to comment on them.

Wellington, Sept 4 NZPA - Talks between National and Labour over an emissions trading scheme (ETS) could happen as early as next week. The previous Labour government put an ETS into law, but when National won the election it put it on hold, saying the economic costs were too high.

Wellington, Aug 31 NZPA - The Government has released a report reviewing the emissions trading scheme set up by the Labour government last year. The scheme was put on hold by National when it came to power and an emissions trading scheme (ETS) select committee was set up to review it.