Wellington, Oct 12 NZPA - New Zealand's opposition MPs have congratulated the Chinese winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, but Prime Minister John Key is not keen to talk about it.

Wellington, Oct 12 NZPA - Former Labour MP Chris Carter says his expulsion from the party last night was an overreaction and the party leadership has been "petty".

The Te Atatu MP was expelled during a seven-hour meeting of the party's national council yesterday.

The New Zealand Council of the Labour Party met tonight to consider the disciplinary proceedings it raised against Te Atatu MP Chris Carter, following his actions of 29 July 2010.

By Maggie Tait of NZPA

Wellington, NZPA - The damage Chris Carter's "furtive, sneaky letter" caused, his ongoing criticism and lack of remorse were behind the Labour Party expelling the MP for Te Atatu from its ranks last night.

Wellington, Oct 12 NZPA - Chris Carter was expelled from the Labour Party last night after a meeting to consider the disciplinary proceedings it raised against the MP over a letter he sent.

The text of the party's ruling council's position follows:

By Maggie Tait of NZPA

Wellington, Oct 11 NZPA - The Labour Party expelled Chris Carter after a marathon meeting lasting more than seven hours in Wellington tonight.

Wellington, NZPA - Chris Carter's expulsion from the Labour Party is now complete, with its national council today voting him out. 

Wellington, Oct 11 NZPA - Te Atatu MP Chris Carter dodged the waiting media tonight as he left a Labour Party national council that was considering moves to expel him.

The meeting had lasted more than four hours when Mr Carter left.

Wellington, Oct 11, NZPA - New Zealand's currency is suffering the consequences of a weak US economy, and there's very little that can be done about the strong New Zealand dollar, Prime Minister John Key says.

Wellington, Oct 11 NZPA - The work of the New Zealand police contingent in Afghanistan has earned high praise from local police and officials, says Police Minister Judith Collins who has just spent four days in the country.