Stories by Katie Scotcher

New Zealand has joined an alliance of Indo-Pacific nations aimed at countering China's influence in the region.

Scrapping pre-departure tests will come "sooner rather than later", and more advice is being sought on whether people with adverse reactions could be exempt from workforce mandates.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw is sending a strong signal to voters - the plan to slash emissions would have been stronger if his party held the balance of power.

Low-income families who scrap their old car will get funding to buy a low-emitting vehicle in a $569 million scheme, one of the big-ticket items in the government's first Emissions Reductions Plan.

The thousands of people who use public transport every day could soon find out if the half-price fares they are enjoying now are here to stay.

According to police, in the 12 months to October last year there were 283 ram raids around the country, more than five a week.

The anti-mandate protest in the capital earlier this year has cost the Wellington City Council more than $300,000.

The Associate Health Minister has asked officials to draft a plan on how the government should respond if a variant arrives that is more transmissable or severe than Omicron. Audio

The Russian ambassador can't be summoned to Parliament for questioning as he has diplomatic immunity, the Foreign Affairs Minister has told MPs.

The Foreign Affairs Minister has called MPs' efforts to haul the Russian ambassador before them for questioning "not very useful".

Russian Ambassador Georgii Zuev has continued to decline to either appear before select committees, or to be interviewed by media, saying that would be futile.

MPs are debating the extraordinary step after the ambassador rebuffed two requests to appear before a committee to answer questions about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Experts doubt China will help Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, saying the global superpower has too much to lose and very little to gain.

New documents show intelligence agencies warned a violent protest in response to Covid-19 restrictions was possible late last year.

Trade Minister Damien O'Connor will embark on a trip to Europe this weekend, where he plans to underline New Zealand's expectations for a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.

Legislation banning conversion therapy has passed its third and final reading at Parliament with the support of almost all MPs.

Dozens of cafe, restaurant and venue owners in central Auckland say they are on the brink of bankruptcy, with the expected Omicron wave keeping customers away.

A New Zealander in Australia was forced to care for her premature baby in hospital alone after her attempts at securing an emergency MIQ room were rejected.

The prime minister confirmed New Zealanders stuck overseas will learn when they can bypass MIQ and isolate at home in a matter of weeks.

New Zealanders are being urged to prepare for potentially thousands of daily Covid-19 infections once the Omicron variant starts spreading in the community. Audio

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is warning New Zealand's Covid-19 case numbers in 2022 will be unlike anything seen here before.

Public Service Minister Chris Hipkins acknowledges there have been failings in providing redress, and says it's "a national disgrace" that it has taken this long to get to this point.

Te Pāti Māori has left the door open to work with the National Party and its new leader Christopher Luxon.

A bruising four years has left National's caucus broken and divided - but they are striving for unity. Audio

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean says she "took no pleasure in being caught up in a political power-play" within the National Party.