Stories by Demelza Leslie

The National Party leader is making his final run into the election, leading a two-day bus trip through the North Island to Auckland.

Some criminals should have fewer human rights than others, according to the National Party's Paula Bennett.

Bill English focused on family, the future of the country's children, and the women on his team in a campaign launch responding to Jacinda-mania.

The National Party has promised to expand the National Standards education system if it's re-elected for a fourth term in government.

Labour and National are going head-to-head for Hutt South as Trevor Mallard retires after more than two decades. Audio

The government hopes the change will prevent a repeat of the convicted murderer and sex offender's infamous escape.

A short-term $1 billion funding plug is needed for a widening gap in Auckland's future transport needs, a leaked report says. Audio

The new Labour leader has had her first full day in the job, and already there has been debate around the questions that she's being asked as a young, female leader.

Labour's new leader Jacinda Ardern has a little over seven weeks to turn round her party's fortunes before the general election.

As the Labour Party languishes in the polls, it is desperately calling on supporters to open their wallets to help them reach more voters.

The Conservation Minister is defending a potential law change on swapping conservation land against accusations of arrogance. Audio

The Todd Barclay story is refusing to die, despite the best efforts of senior government ministers, as the National Party held its election year conference over the weekend.

Senior members of the National Party are confident this weekend's annual conference won't be overshadowed.

Building Minister Nick Smith has responded to Phil Goff's complaint of attempted micro-management of a council public reserve. Audio

The Green Party wants to increase New Zealand's annual refugee intake to 4000 within six years, and allow community and church groups to bring in a further 1000. Audio

The Police Minister intends to block any gang member or prospect from getting a firearms license and will bring in tougher penalties under the Arms Act.

Social workers will have to be registered under a proposed new law designed to put them under greater scrutiny.

Labour leader Andrew Little has slated US President Donald Trump as clumsy and ham-fisted, but would not have shown the Secretary of State the finger as Wellingtonians did during his visit yesterday… Video

The United States could be isolated politically following a decision to leave the Paris climate agreement, according to a New Zealand political scientist. Video

The government is out of touch with how broken the mental health system is, according to an Auckland social worker.

The mental health and addictions sector has warned it could lose more skilled staff - this time to rest homes.

Labour will not say if it will adopt the families income package that would benefit more than 1,000,000 New Zealanders announced in yesterday's Budget.

New standards for methamphetamine contamination in houses are pointless if the meth testing industry itself is not regulated, the government has been told.

The government says KiwiSaver is still a good investment, despite claims those savings accounts pay four times more tax than an average property investor.

Prime Minister Bill English has confirmed he has viewed more than half the available footage of a controversial 2010 SAS raid in Afghanistan.