20 November 2008 - Defence Minister, Dr Wayne Mapp and Associate Defence Minister Mrs Heather Roy, today joined family and friends farewelling 149 Service personnel deploying to Timor-Leste.

20 November 2008 - Family First NZ is welcoming a law giving police extra powers to test suspected drugged drivers, and to take blood specimens to establish the extent of the drug-driving problem in NZ.

19 November 2008 - Canterbury Alliance Regional Chair, Quentin Findlay, said that Progressive Party Leader, Jim Anderton's decision to be in a coalition with Labour in opposition, amounted to the de-facto 'winding up' of Jim Anderton's Progressive Party.

19 NOV 2008 - A close relationship with Labour in government will be every bit as close in Opposition, Progressive Party leader and Wigram MP leader Jim Anderton says.

The Progressives will formally cooperate with Labour in Opposition.

18 November 2008 - National leader John Key's u-turn on the Emissions Trading Scheme is his first broken promise, the outgoing Minister for Climate Change Issues David Parker said today.

Libertarianz deputy leader Richard McGrath acknowledged John Key's choices for his cabinet posts, but said the Prime Minister-designate may regret not seizing the opportunity to immediately downsize the number of government ministries.

National Party Leader John Key says the National Party Caucus has confirmed its whips.

"Nathan Guy is to be the Government's senior whip, and Chris Tremain will be the junior whip."

17 November 2008 - National Party Leader John Key today offered his condolences to the family and friends of the Mayor of Western Bay of Plenty District, the late Graeme Weld, who passed away at the weekend.

17 November 2008 - The inclusive approach to support party arrangements and Cabinet appointments by Prime Minister-elect John Key are a good portent for stable business, says Business NZ.

17 NOVEMBER 2008 - The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is looking forward to meeting with the new Minister of Health, Tony Ryall, as soon as possible to discuss the detail of National's health policies.