Labour Leader Phil Goff leaves for the US tonight for talks with senior members of the US Administration, Congressmen and the United Nations. He will also be meeting with think tanks and international financial institutions.

The Government's hapless interference in the Rugby World Cup broadcast rights bidding process smacks of a foreboding lack of co-ordination around the event, says Labour's Rugby World Cup spokesperson Trevor Mallard.

Finance Minister Bill English leaves for Hong Kong and London this Sunday to raise New Zealand's profile with investors and business groups, and to share ideas about the next steps in economic recovery.

The six-day trip follows a similar visit to Tokyo and New York last month.

Labour's Climate Change Issues spokesperson Charles Chauvel says Ministers will privately be hoping that the doors are locked at the National Party's Blue Greens conference in Wellington this weekend.

Work towards the realignment of the Matahorua Gorge between Napier and Gisborne has commenced today - nine months earlier than originally scheduled - thanks to an additional $142.5 million in funding announced in February as part of the government's Jobs and Growth plan.

Four sets of regulations will underpin the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 and the new regulatory regime, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today.

Finance Minister Bill English leaves for Hong Kong and London this Sunday to raise New Zealand's profile with investors and business groups, and to share ideas about the next steps in economic recovery.

The six-day trip follows a similar visit to Tokyo and New York last month.

Georgina te Heuheu, Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, today again expressed her deepest respects to all Pacific people, particularly Samoan and Tongan people, for the continuing unfolding tragedy in the Pacific.

The Health Minister Tony Ryall says New Zealand's health sector is mobilising to support recovery efforts in Samoa.

Mr Ryall expressed his sympathy to all those affected - both in Samoa, and here in New Zealand.

The Government must confirm its commitment to quality state broadcasting in the future, says Labour Broadcasting spokesperson Brendon Burns.