Jane Patterson

The Prime Minister says her government opposes militarisation of the Pacific, after reports China wants to build a military base in Vanuatu.

Further details have emerged about the interaction between the office of the Broadcasting Minister and the RNZ board chair Richard Griffin, who told MPs it left him "gobsmacked".

Speed limits on high risk roads could be reviewed as the government signals road safety as one of its main transport priorities.

The National Party says voters in regions other than Auckland will be surprised to hear they too could be subject to a fuel tax of up to 10c a litre.

Clare Curran says she has no intention of resigning as Broadcasting Minister, in the wake of the controversy of her meeting with former RNZ executive Carol Hirschfeld. Video

The National Party leader says "there are serious questions" to be asked after RNZ senior manager Carol Hirschfeld resigned over admitting she misled her chief executive over a meeting with the… Audio

The face-off between the Cabinet minister Shane Jones and Air New Zealand has given voters a sneak peek into the pitfalls that may lie ahead for the coalition government.

The Prime Minister has reined in New Zealand First minister Shane Jones after he called for the chairman of Air New Zealand to be sacked. Audio

It is going to be a delicate balance for the government as it decides how to handle future mining permits, to accommodate both the Greens and coalition partner New Zealand First.

The government is currently considering block offers for oil and gas exploration permits for this year.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters says he has had no indication that New Zealand's pursuit of a free trade deal with Russia would hinder ongoing negotiations with the European Union.

Power Play - Regardless of the respect due to victims, the mess Labour has found itself in around sexual assault at its summer camp is about political management, writes Jane Patterson.

Yesterday shadow finance minister Simon Bridges labelled a government proposal innovative - but today he's decided it's an 'envy tax'.

Power Play - The generational power shift within National continues with the departure of campaign strategist and all-round trouble shooter Steven Joyce, writes Jane Patterson.

Charter schools want clarification around the actual deadline date to become special character schools, which would enable some of them to stay open next year.

Cabinet will soon consider a range of recommendations aimed at making it easier to file a pay equity claim.

A PR contractor, whose position in the Prime Minister's office prompted questions in Parliament, says discussions about conflicts of interest are important, and she welcomes questions about how they…

The National Party has raised an allegation of conflict of interest in Parliament relating to a commentator who appeared on RNZ show 'The Panel'.

The government has put one of its new initiatives on hold after realising it is linked to a businessman in the sights of the Serious Fraud Office.

A "comprehensive report" is needed on funding for a project linked to a businessman who's being investigated by the Serious Fraud Office, says Shane Jones. Audio

Power Play - Simon Bridges pitched to National Party backbenchers chafing for more influence. His upcoming reshuffle will show how serious he is about renewal, writes Jane Patterson. Video

Power Play - The new leader of the National Party will be chosen today, when the 56 MPs will lock themselves into a room and conduct a secret ballot.

Five regions will receive just over $60 million in the first chunk of money allocated out of the Provincial Growth Fund, with $9.5m going to rail. Here's how the rest of the money will be spent.

Cabinet has given the final sign-off for the billion-dollar a year Regional Development Fund, and the checks and balances to be put in place for any money allocated.

The Health Minister pushed ahead with giving full legal protection to the terminally ill to use cannabis, despite advice from the police asking for that particular provision to be delayed.