The Ministry of Health today launched a two-month public consultation period on a proposed regulatory scheme for the fast-growing natural health products industry.

A proposal to set up a stand-alone New Zealand regulator for natural health products has been developed by the Green Party and the Government. A consultation paper on this proposal has been released by the Ministry of Health today.

The decision to withdraw effluent disposal applications for factory-style dairy farms in the Mackenzie Country is a victory for the green movement, but the Mackenzie is still not safe, the Green Party said today.

The transformation of the External Assessments Bureau into the National Assessments Bureau should not have occurred without proper consultation, said Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson Keith Locke.

TVNZ's proposal to make savage cuts to its news and current affairs is an idiotic strategy worthy of the bosses of the Dilbert comic strip, said Green Party Broadcasting spokesperson Sue Kedgley.

The latest Clean Streams Accord report shows that the time has come for the Government to step in to prevent further pollution of New Zealand's rivers and streams by dairy farming, the Green Party said today.

By Hamish Stuart of NZPA

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - Three peace activists walked free today even though they admitted breaking into a Government spybase near Blenheim and slashing an inflatable plastic dome covering a satellite dish.

Green MP Keith Locke has greeted the acquittal of three men who slashed a dome at the Waihopai spy base as a victory for the peace movement.

It is with great sadness the Green Party would like to acknowledge the passing of Bevan Tipene-Matua yesterday.

The Government could explore the legal opportunity in the Maritime Crimes Act 1999, to release New Zealander Pete Bethune, the Green Party said today.