Russell Palmer

The prime minister has also unveiled a new support package as part of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The Prime Minister says Pacific Islands Forum should be the central way other countries engage with the Pacific.

The New Zealand leader is visiting Papua New Guinea this week to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, while a similar connection with the Cook Islands receives a much different treatment.

The trip to the capital Port Moresby also commemorates 50 years of bilateral relations.

The government's repeal of the 2018 ban passed through Parliament on Thursday night. Audio

Judith Collins pushes back on suggestions the office was a response to China's influence, despite the claim being made by the FBI's director.

The bill passed 68 votes to 54, with all coalition parties in support and the opposition parties opposed.

The US policing agency's boss, Trump appointee Kash Patel, has been seen in the capital in recent days.

The Workplace Relations Minister has announced consultation on safety regulations for chemical laboratories, and the use hydrogen technologies.

Te Puni Kōkiri has confirmed the review's findings will be released next month.

A significant 11th-hour change will hand new powers to two ministers, and gave the opposition less than 23 hours to prepare.

The legislation - which passed last month - means employers can again deduct workers' wages, including for industrial action that doesn't amount to a full strike.

反对党"原则上"支持调整，但表示还要看进一步细节。

It's been a full year since National's tax bracket changes came into effect, with the government claiming it is winning the battle against the rising cost of living.

It's the one Māori seat currently held by Labour, and the announcement comes during a by-election for another seat Labour is also contesting.

Opposition parties say the devil will be in the details on the government's latest building products changes, but support them in principle. Audio

Education Minister Erica Stanford said the funding approach was different from the usual, but the money would come from the new build package in this year's Budget.

It means the Space Minister can order a cut in power and internet services to space-launch facilities if they're in breach of rules or don't benefit the country.

Peters told the House the international community was united in its revulsion to the events in Gaza

Maintenance funding for the country's 'Great Rides' trails will need to double in the next decade, or some will degrade so much they will lose that status. Audio

Critics argue removing councils' wellbeing priorities may lower costs, but will also reduce local autonomy and risk Treaty settlement fallout. Audio

But the revised cost of $18 million may also end up on the low side.

Legislation requiring councils to report more on finances and prioritise core services has passed its first reading overnight.

The cost of the ACT leader's Regulatory Standards Bill work could be as high as $60m a year, officials say. Audio

The Associate Health Minister says medical conferences can happen in New Zealand now, because the government is lifting advertising restrictions on medicines.