Stories by Anneke Smith

Interim name suppression the man has now had for 622 days will continue until at least his name suppression appeal hearing.

Critics point to a lack of environmental protections while the government calls the 149 projects a key part of rebuilding the economy. Audio

He also used his speech to announce New Zealand would campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council for the 2039-2040 term.

New Zealand has signed a free-trade deal with the United Arab Emirates - the fastest agreement the country has ever struck.

"New Zealand must look after itself before it cares for the planet", Resources Minister Shane Jones said, with the coalition arguing exploration will deliver energy security.

The referral relates to comments Tākuta Ferris made during last week's general debate.

'All of our children are not the same," ACT says, as Labour calls it "the worst type of experiment".

Some of the families, who are caring for mentally ill children, are "really struggling to cope", one mum says. Audio

Nicole McKee won't promise not to re-introduce banned semi-automatics, saying instead she's committed to listening to stakeholders.

A former political figure found guilty of historical sexual abuse is taking his fight for further name suppression to the High Court.

"We have a very simple approach to healthcare which is based off need, not ethnicity or race," Christopher Luxon says after the government stepped in at Hawke's Bay .

Analysis - The question has been left lingering after the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum, with Aotearoa taking a back seat on a climate and disaster resilience fund and a new report pointing the finger.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spent time with communities in Tonga after the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum wrapped up.

The Pacific Islands Forum has emphasised solidarity in the face of the many challenges confronting the region, with climate change affecting nearly every area of discussion.

The leaders of the 18 member states are spending a day on Vava'u Island - with no officials or media allowed.

Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters has been labelled a climate denier by the opposition after downplaying the climate crisis while visiting the Pacific.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stepped out of the Pacific Islands Forum to throw a rugby ball around with some young female players from Tonga.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has touched down in Tonga for his first Pacific Islands Forum in the top job.

Nearly three months passed from when a former political figure's party was told he was a "sexual predator" until the man stopped working for them.

"In the first instance the balance wasn't quite right. We spoke, the nation spoke and they listened." Audio

The former political figure is accused of sexually abusing two teenage boys while he was a mentor at their sports club.

The jury in the trial of a former political figure accused of sexually abusing two teenage boys in the 1990s has now heard the defendant's side of the story.

Two male complainants say the man sexually abused them between 1995 and 1999.

The man denied making the allegations up and said although he did vote for a different party he wasn't politically motivated.

The defendant has pleaded not guilty to nine charges of indecent assault.