Stories by Russell Palmer

The first text was sent at 2.38pm, less than an hour before Nicola Willis publicy announced there would be no more funding for the project.

Labour says the focus on big new roads is hypocrisy for a government that came to power promising to cut costs. Audio

Shane Jones says his comments about a judge being a communist were taken out of context, but judicial decisions are "beginning to show elements of totalitarianism".

He says he does believe humans had a role in causing climate change.

The promised National Infrastructure Agency will start operating from 1 December, with the government repurposing and powering up the current Crown Infrastructure Partners.

Paul Goldsmith says his claim customary title will be reduced to a fragment of the coastline was just part of "free-flowing discussion".

The government has back-tracked on contentious parts of legislation aimed at getting NZ "back on track". Here's what you need to know.

The new regional deals announced by the government have some major differences from some of the overseas cities they're modelled on.

Councillors, mayors and officials could be heard groaning as the prime minister spoke. Audio

With a poll showing support for a tourism levy or bed tax, councils wanting to "give rates a rest" have set up a bed at this year's LGNZ conference.

残疾人事务部将被改组，不再负责对残疾人群的具体支持工作，所有支持性服务职能都将移交给社会发展部。

The Ministry of Disabled People will lose responsibility for support services, after a critical review found inadequate budget controls.

Opposition parties have slammed the government's move to crackdown on beneficiaries, saying work-for-dole type schemes are a "reheated, failed approach". Audio

5月份赤字预测显示，移民局赤字水平还不到收费调整所带来的大概每年1.4亿纽元资金的四分之一。

The association wants firearms reform taken off Nicole McKee, saying she's a former gun lobbyist and has excluded police from consultation. Audio

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford is refusing to comment on her increased visa fees being far more than is needed to meet Immigration New Zealand's costs.

Labour says the government's approach to water reform will only continue pushing up rates.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has unveiled a new directive for the public service, outlining costs - including worker pay increases - be kept within budget baselines.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins have clashed in Parliament over Luxon's management of his ministers.

He's advised MPs to take complaints to the Commissioner for Parliamentary Standards, but ACT opposes the commissioner on ideological grounds.

Labour is accusing the government of manipulation by using the wrong data on maths education, saying it's like shifting the goalposts after the ball has been kicked.

The appointment of the only remaining member of the Health NZ as Deputy Commissioner makes a farce of the decision to bring in Commissioners, Labour says.

David Seymour is celebrating attendance statistics, despite it having dropped compared to the same period last term.

Health NZ's Commissioner Lester Levy has appointed as a deputy commissioner the only other board member that remained when the board was scrapped last month.

Health NZ's board went from "receiving the level of reporting it needed", to its financial situation being "suddenly quite different" in just five days, the health minister says.