16 December 2008 - Ongoing pressure on capacity at New Zealand's prisons is testament to failed corrections policies under the former Labour government, Corrections Minister Hon Judith Collins says.

16 December 2008 - Veterans' Affairs Minister Judith Collins today released the briefing paper to the incoming Minister from Veterans' Affairs New Zealand.

Masterton GP Richard McGrath is the new leader of the Libertarianz Party, following Bernard Darnton's decision to stand down after five years at the helm.

While John Key's ReStart assistance package for newly redundant workers will help those who qualify, there will still be an awful lot of people for whom this will make no difference, Green Party Social Development spokesperson Sue Bradford says.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced the appointment of the RMA Technical Advisory Group to support the Government's programme of reform of the Resource Management Act.

Cabinet has approved funding of $3.6 million for a five-year local programme to rid Lyttelton Port of the marine pest Mediterranean fanworm.

15 December 2008 - New Zealand will contribute $300,000 to assist with relief efforts in the wake of extensive flooding in the northern provinces of Papua New Guinea, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced today.

15 December 2008 - Trade Minister Tim Groser has expressed disappointment at the cancellation of a WTO Ministerial Meeting which had been scheduled to begin later this week, in a bid to progress the stalled WTO Doha Round.

15 December 2008 - Labour is pleased to see the introduction of financial assistance to Kiwis who lose their jobs because of harsh economic times, but believes National should focus on keeping workers in jobs, Labour's Social Development spokesperson Annette King said today.

15 December 2008 - The Cabinet has agreed in principle to make a law change to prevent unanticipated tax liabilities arising for troubled finance companies and certain other debtors that enter into workout agreements with their creditors, Finance Minister Bill English and Revenue Minister Peter D