News that John Key is going to invest in upgrading and insulating state houses is puzzling, given that in the 2008 budget Parliament voted $53 million over five years to complete insulation and energy efficiency upgrades of all state houses, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said.

Green MP Health spokesperson Sue Kedgley says she is astounded that the National Party has scrapped a requirement that schools sell healthy food, and is giving schools the green light to start selling junk food again.

Career diplomat Andrea Smith will be New Zealand's new Ambassador to Turkey, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced today.

New Zealand's Ambassador in Ankara also has responsibility for links with Israel, Jordan, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Family First is welcoming the decision by the Minister of Education to relieve schools from being 'food police' and dictating what can and can't be sold in school canteens.

The rising unemployment figures announced today underscore the need for a coherent plan from the Government to protect New Zealand jobs, Labour spokesperson Trevor Mallard today.

5 Februrary 2008 - The Minister of Social Development is offering platitudes to the unemployed rather than hope, says Labour social development spokesperson Annette King.

5 FEBRUARY 2009 - Libertarianz spokesman Tim Wikiriwhi has outlined his party's stand on race-based laws and institutions in New Zealand: "Like slavery and cannibalism, they must be consigned to the dustbin of history."

5 February 2009 - News today of a big increase in numbers on the unemployment benefit is a wake up call that National must act quickly to implement real solutions to the current crisis.

5 February 2009 - Schools will no longer be required to act as food police under changes announced by Education Minister Anne Tolley today.

5 February 2009 - Maori Party co-leader, and disability issues spokesperson, Tariana Turia, has today spoken of the great loss suffered with the shock death of Disabled Persons Assembly President, Eamon Daly.