Catherine Hutton
Labour wants to ensure prison officers receive support
The opposition Labour Party is demanding prison officers be given adequate protection from nicotine deprived prisoners. Audio
Chris Carter finally apologises for too much travelling
The Labour MP, Chris Carter, has escaped any further punishment from his leader, Phil Goff, after he apologised this afternoon for travelling too much as a minister. Audio
Minister defends $4.8 million allocation to Pacific agency
The Government is once again being forced to defend the allocation of nearly five million dollars to a little known Pacific Island organisation. Audio
Criticism of foreshore and seabed proposal
The Maori Party is hailing yesterday's proposed changes to the foreshore and seabed law but one of its MPs is less than enthusiastic. The Te Tai Tokerau MP, Hone Harawira, says it doesn't go far… Audio
Super City legislation passes final reading
Plans for the Auckland Super City can proceed after the Government passed the third and final piece of legislation last night. Audio
Auckland Super City Bill becomes law
The third and final Auckland Super City Bill passed its final reading in Parliment this evening. Audio
Pharmac looking at funding new form of contraceptive
The Government's drug buying agency, Pharmac is considering funding a contraceptive implant for young women. Audio
Government puts 15 million into helping teenage parents
The Government is to fund seven new supported homes for teenage parents as part of a $15 million package unveiled in the budget. Audio
PM doesn't think Bennett should pay compensation
The Prime Minister, John Key, says he doesn't think a beneficiary who laid a privacy complaint against the Minister of Social Development should receive compensation. Audio
Debate on asset sales in Parliament
The National Party turned the tables on the Opposition in the House this afternoon, when the Labour Party leader Phil Goff was reminded of his own long list of asset sales. Audio
Political reaction to the Budget
As you've heard changes to income tax rates and a rise in GST are at the heart of this year's budget. Audio
Leaky homes 'lifeline' may be a drain on rates
The Government has extended what it calls a financial lifeline to leaky homeowners. Audio
Opposition kick off inquiry into care of elderly
The Labour and Green Parties have kicked off their investigation into the rest home industry and changes to home based support with a meeting in Kapiti yesterday. Audio
UN Special Rapporteur to visit
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights is to visit New Zealand in July. Audio
Key uses regional conference to soothe party members
The Prime Minister has used a regional conference of the National Party to dampen down any concerns party members have over key areas of government policy involving the Maori Party. Audio
Waikato River settlement may be model for foreshore
A former treaty negotiations minister believes the historic Waikato River settlement, could provide a new approach for addressing the foreshore and seabed issue. Audio
Electoral spending law passes first hurdle in Parliament.
The Green Party fears efforts to overhaul the current law on electoral campaign spending will open the door to corruption in politics. Audio
Waikato River bill passes
Hundreds of members of Tainui converged on Parliament this afternoon to witness the passing of the historic Treaty settlement to protect the Waikato River. Audio
Charities raise concerns about proposed new law
Politicians are being warned that making professional charity collectors reveal how much of a donation they keep for themselves will have catastrophic consequences for fundraisers. Audio
Reaction to news Australia will postpone its ETS scheme
The Australian Government is postponing the introduction of its Emissions Trading Scheme until at least 2012, igniting debate about whether New Zealand should continue with its version. Audio
