Stories by Mei Heron

Opposition parties have called for the government to cut all ties with private prison operator Serco, after a report into fight clubs at Mt Eden prison.

The government's decision to investigate repatriating bodies of soldiers is a step in the right direction but obstacles remain, the brother of a soldier says.

The government is to investigate whether it should repatriate the bodies of military personnel who died overseas between 1948 and 1970.

The Environmental Protection Authority asked the Green Party to pay it $50,000 to continue assessing an antibacterial chemical banned in the US. Audio

A group of demonstrators staked out Todd Corporation's headquarters in Wellington today, protesting against the company's oil and gas exploration.

The government's been accused of dragging its feet after only spending less than a fifth of the money promised to address growing school rolls in Auckland.

Australia is passing the buck by suggesting New Zealand should have separate talks with Nauru to resettle the refugees, the Labour Party says.

New Zealand's two ambulance services are warning that the safety of their patients and paramedics is at risk and more funding is urgently needed.

The government is defending its record on housing the homeless after it was revealed it was taking longer to find places for those desperately in need. Video

The government, having passed its plain packaging legislation, is confident it could win any legal action taken by tobacco companies.

Legislation requiring tobacco products to have standardised packaging has passed its final hurdle in Parliament.

Stories of migrant workers being exploited, with some paid as little as $8 an hour, have been revealed in a new report.

More than 400 stories told to the homelessness inquiry have failed to convince the government the inquiry was needed.

The government's approach to social welfare has come under fire, with a top economist fearing the system could lack empathy and compassion.

Mayors and council officials are protesting changes that would allow the government to create council-controlled organisations without their permission.

Prime Minister John Key has conceded the government should have consulted more with fishing companies before going ahead with the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary.

Proposed 'online' schools would not replace traditional schools but supplement them, the Education Minister says. Audio

The Māori King should stay "above the ruck" of 'tawdry' politics and remain neutral, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says.

A bill on the best way for airports to advertise lost luggage is being mocked, but the MP whose name it is under insists it's no laughing matter.

Labour is demanding a 'please explain' from Australia over revelations of extreme trauma and abuse suffered by children held in detention on Nauru. Audio

The Education Minister is defending her consultation process for the government's plan for the school funding system, despite two unions joining forces to fight it.

More than 250 submissions have been made to a cross-party inquiry into homelessness, which will have its first public hearing later this month.

The proportion of Auckland homes bought by people working and paying tax overseas has increased slightly over the last few months, according to government data.

The number of crime victims has risen by 3.1 percent in a year, mainly due to burglaries.

Labour wants Trade Minister Todd McClay to resign for his misleading comments about possible trade retaliation by China over claims of surplus steel dumping. Audio