Stories by Demelza Leslie

Legislation that will make it legal for shops to trade on Easter Sunday, if their local councils agree, has been passed. Audio

Labour has laid a privileges complaint against Minister Nick Smith, claiming he misled Parliament about whether he knew about an official report.

The Government Statistician has been forced to defend her independence after claims there was political interference with the labour figures.

The ACT party has called for a complete overhaul of the way compensation cases were considered by the Crown.

The latest foreign home buyer data has 'more holes in it than Swiss cheese', says New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, but the government insists the information is watertight. Audio

Research suggests only 15 percent of houses built under Auckland's Unitary Plan will cost less than $800,000. Audio

Mandatory registration for social workers seems likely next year, with a select committee looking into the matter.

"We mean what we say when we say we are rebalancing to the Pacific", US Vice President Joe Biden has told leaders in Auckland. Video

Australian Election - As political parties start horsetrading in the wake of the weekend's knife-edge result, Labor Party leader Bill Shorten says his party is "re-energised".

Australian Election - It's been called a marathon election campaign, and after eight weeks it's nearing the finish line, reports Demelza Leslie. Audio

Same sex marriage has dominated the final few days of the Australian federal election campaign.

Australian Election - New Zealanders living in Australia are hoping for more rights following Saturday's federal election. Audio

Australian Election - Voters will be wondering if Saturday's election will finally put an end to leadership spills, writes Demelza Leslie.

Australian Election - With only days left, the fight for crucial marginal seats such as Parramatta in west Sydney is ramping up, reports Demelza Leslie.

Australian Election - Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has officially launched his bid for re-election, saying the country needs steady hands in the wake of the UK's Brexit vote.

Australian Election - Four days out from Australia's federal election, and a social agency based in Sydney is warning beneficiaries and low income families are being forgotten.

Prime Minister John Key says he is happy to take the flak for a decision to extend New Zealand's military involvement in Iraq for an extra 18 months.

The government has rejected suggestions banks are doing its job of trying to cool the housing market by placing heavy restrictions on lending to foreign home buyers. Audio

After months of delays the government has finally released its new defence policy - and it comes with a $20 billion price tag.

The Defence Minister has called on China to explain its island building programme in the South China Sea

Significant numbers of young people are sleeping rough or couch surfing because they can not find anywhere else to live, new research shows.

Winston Peters says the Budget is a kick in the guts, Andrew Little called it unambitious, and Metiria Turei says it lacks vision. But John Key is unapologetic.

Home ownership rates are collapsing in Auckland and the government should do more in the Budget to dampen down the house prices, says Labour. Audio

The Overseas Investment Office is causing some investors to shy away from New Zealand, the lawyer for several Chinese buyers says.

A Wairarapa-based wine and agribusiness company is leading the way for New Zealand businesses in China, by setting up an international trade centre.