The announcement by the National Government that it is preparing to go on an environmental vandalism spree in some of our most pristine national parks is nothing but reckless.

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The Government's decision to allow mining -- even open-pit mining - in pristine areas of Coromandel conservation land and our National Parks is contemptible, says Coromandel Watchdog spokesperson Denis Tegg.

Dirty dairy farmers risk ruining the New Zealand tourism industry with their unacceptable effluent management, Labour's tourism spokesperson Kelvin Davis said 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.

Labour's Housing spokesperson Moana Mackey is calling on Housing Minister Maurice Williamson to intervene and assure taxpayers that the money being spent by Housing New Zealand to develop a business case for replacing their IT systems is justified.

The latest Westpac McDermott Miller consumer confidence survey released today shows that consumer confidence has slipped back in the first quarter of this year. A leading Auckland retail group believes the country could be witnessing a double dip in confidence and economic performance.

It's too early to say whether 2010 could set a record for industrial action in the health sector, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell says.

A leading Auckland business group believes higher than usual anticipation ahead of the National Government's second Budget, is seeing consumers keep their hands in their pockets.

It appears that the days of open entry to university and tertiary study in New Zealand are numbered.

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Women students are expressing concern over research released today by the Ministry of Women's Affairs that shows female students face a gender pay gap just one year after entering employment, and are calling on the Minister of Women's Affairs, Hon Pansy Wong, to take action.