Family First NZ is welcoming a recommendation from the Tasmanian state's Commissioner for Children, Paul Mason, to prohibit the purchase of sex in order to protect children.

The Government says it is tightening up on sales of farmland to foreign owners, but is allowing the biggest ever sale of dairy land to Harvard University, underlining the lack of clear, strong rules on foreign ownership of our land, says Labour Agricultural spokesperson Damien O'Connor.

The Government is putting an extra $9 million towards the SuperGold card public transport scheme as part of a balanced package of measures that will improve efficiency and help ensure the scheme's long-term viability, Transport Minister Steven Joyce says.

The thriving employment situation in Australia continues to shame the National Government's woeful economic performance in New Zealand, says Labour Finance spokesperson David Cunliffe.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has confirmed that the Indian Government has formally complained about offensive remarks from Television New Zealand Breakfast host Paul Henry.

TVNZ needs to reconsider its decision to allow Paul Henry back on screen in a week's time, Green Party human rights spokesperson Keith Locke said today.

Family First NZ says that the extent of complications for Australian women who use the drug RU486 to abort their children should send a warning to health authorities in NZ as they consider applications by Family Planning and others to use the controversial drug.

Wellington, Oct 8 NZPA - The Government is to fund training workshops to help businesses recover from the Canterbury earthquake.

Canterbury business owners and managers will have access to fully-funded training to help them recover from the effects of the recent earthquake, Minister for Economic Development Gerry Brownlee announced today.

ACT leader Rodney Hide is engaged to his girlfriend Louise Crome.

Mr Hide confirmed the engagement to Ms Crome, 32, a former competitive squash player, to the New Zealand Herald.