I don't tend to write personal things here all that much any more, but I just wanted to say that I had an awesome weekend. It started off with a mate I haven't talked to in years inviting me to

The Minister of Maori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples, says the government is committed to promoting tino rangatiranga by Maori.

Labour has given its strongest hint yet that it would raise the age of eligibility for New Zealand Superannuation.

Labour is committed to keeping both the current age of eligibility and entitlement level for New Zealand Superannuation, Opposition Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe said today.

Three new early childhood education centres are to be built in Manukau, Education Minister Anne Tolley announced today.

21 July -- The Ministry of Economic Development today released the latest edition of the New Zealand Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions report.

21 July -- Police Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the release of a report which lays the groundwork for how 300 extra police will be best deployed in Counties-Manukau.

Bank workers' union Finsec welcomes the announcement of an opposition inquiry into interest rates.

The National Government has given up on the search for solutions on banking, says Labour finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.

Whangarei MP Phil Heatley says he is delighted by confirmation from the NZ Transport Agency that work will start by the year's end on six sorely needed upgrades to the city's overburdened roading network, starting with the $23 million Kamo

Director and chair appointments and reappointments to the boards of seven Crown Research Institutes were announced today by Minister of Research, Science and Technology Wayne Mapp.

Auckland, July 21 NZPA - A complainant in a rape trial today said she had sex with the accused after he threatened to tell her father about a relationship she was in.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - A Wairarapa woman accused of motor manslaughter over the death of her son left the courtroom in tears today as the pathologist who carried out his post mortem examination gave evidence.

A boy racer bylaw might be on the way for New Plymouth District.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - Urban trees are undervalued and any loss of their protection under law could leave New Zealand's cities and towns considerably less green and a lot poorer, says the New Zealand Arboricultural Association.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - Three men beat an unwelcome visitor to a Hastings gang pad so badly he had to be flown to Wellington to have clotted blood scooped from his lungs, the High Court at Wellington was told

21 July 2009: Harcourts International has just launched a new luxury property magazine with an inaugural 132-page edition showcasing dozens of Harcourts' $1 million-plus luxury property listings.

Waikato's B4 School Checks went live five months ago and those leading out the project are optimistic of a good outcome for the region's four-year-olds.

Christchurch, July 21 NZPA - The jury in the Sophie Elliott murder trial decided to retire overnight and continue its deliberations tomorrow, and members have been allowed to return to their homes for the night.

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - A 51-year-old man who was granted bail on a murder charge, breached one of his bail conditions the next day.Christopher Allan Heenan, of Rotorua, was arrested last week for murdering Ruakawa Ben Newton, 38.