The eagerly awaited line-up of ministers has been revealed.

“The rate of congenital syphilis is at the highest level seen," a new report warns.

National's new health policy, includes 'primary care navigators' for general practices.

A pod of whales have stranded in the Coromandel.

"You are prepared. But when it does happen you still can't quite believe it."

Reported events could be "tip of the iceberg", a health advocate says.

"This can have serious consequences for their health."

Justice Minister Andrew Little is set to shake up the monitoring of aged-care facilities.

Refusal comes as National attacks Labour over what it says is a lack of transparency.

British trade secretary Liam Fox arrives in NZ tomorrow and leaves on Tuesday.

Trevor Mallard's appointment as Speaker of the House did not go without a hitch.

Jacinda Ardern said Cabinet had today approved the policy.

The war of words comes as Parliament resumes this week.

"Some schools are making quite a lot of money."

Bill English has revealed the roles his MPs will hold.

Labour has repeatedly called for an early access scheme to be established.

Tamati Coffey has floated the idea of legislating targets.

Grant Robertson said the public service will help "refine" Labour's cost estimates.

Advice gleaned from National during coalition negotiations will be used.

Politics' new dynamic duo front their first press conference together.

A dispute over ministerial positions is delaying an announcement, NBR reports.

Peters said the process had been far more complex than he had originally thought.

Winston Peters has promised NZ will know who their government is before end of next week.

NZ First leader confirms he expects changes concerning foreign ownership.

Winston Peters finally speaks up about coalition talks.

NZ First will meet National in the morning, and Labour in the afternoon.

Winston Peters will meet Bill English in the morning and Jacinda Ardern in the afternoon.

Peters dismisses notion National has any sort of "moral authority" in upcoming talks.

Winston Peters set to front media at 3pm, after New Zealand First's caucus meeting.

"Rampant outbreaks of lawlessness and organised crime are the focus," Peters says.

An inquiry has suggested what many Kiwis have long suspected - we pay too much for petrol.

An extra 450,000 people a year would get tax refunds under the proposed change.

The change could smooth the transition for students between ECE, primary and secondary.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says his office acted appropriately.

"It seems to be the thing right now that you walk into a store with a baseball bat."

The guidelines cover children aged under 5.

Tens of thousands of teachers and school staff could be owed holiday pay.

Wide-ranging education reforms are set to pass the final hurdle this week.

The Treasury report has rated DHBs - finding a number have significant issues.

Four new Labour women candidates are ahead of broadcaster.

Funding will be provided to the NZDF to help bring the bodies of NZ soldiers home.

Financial assistance for Edgecumbe residents and businesses is being discussed.

Allowing children up to the age of 12 to cycle on footpaths has merit, the NZTA says.

Equal pay legislation has been welcomed by the Human Rights Commission.

Women whose babies were taken from them at birth push for an inquiry.

Maggie Wilkinson wants inquiry into past forced adoption of babies born to unwed mums.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has set himself a New Year challenge - and hopes others will take it on too.

Gareth Morgan says his party would crack down on unskilled immigration.

New Zealand's media landscape is "massively changing", the Commerce Commission's public conference into the proposed merger of NZME and Fairfax has heard.

The Government has announced a proposed speed limit of 110km/h on the Tauranga Eastern Link today. Associate Transport Minister Craig

Hundreds of people have become paid members of Gareth Morgan's new political party - but John Key is talking down its chances of success.

Gareth Morgan's new political party already has more than 750 paid members - with the entrepreneur saying he has been blown away by the response.

Gareth Morgan's choice of logo for his new political party has come under fire for being too close to the Red Peak flag design.

Schools will today learn how much extra funding they will get as a result of having students "at risk" of educational underachievement enrolled.

The present law on euthanasia forces people to suffer against their wishes, says Matt Vickers, the husband of Lecretia Seales who died last year.

Leisa Renwick has told a Parliamentary committee that her fight to get Keytruda funded shows the need for Pharmac to be reformed so desperate patients can access new drugs faster.

People who take certain public service jobs in the regions would have a chunk of their student loan wiped, under policy being developed by Labour.

By Nicholas Jones Thousands of Kiwis are being declined surgery each month - with patients in some regions, including the Bay of

Grey Power members have presented a petition against changes to the SuperGold Card scheme to NZ First leader Winston Peters.

School principals uncertain about their right to discipline international students have asked the Ministry of Education to clear up confusion.

There have been 22,000 submissions on a petition to legalise euthanasia in New Zealand - a debate that is on track to break Parliamentary records.

This afternoon on NZ Herald Focus we have the Gotingco family's reaction to the Department of Corrections report into her killing.

The homeowner who was blasted by Labour MP Sue Moroney for flying the alternative flag has taken it down.

INTERACTIVE: John Key says he is disappointed New Zealanders have voted to keep the current flag but has promised his Government will not revisit the issue.

In emotional scenes outside Parliament, melanoma survivors, patients and supporters gathered to present a petition to the Government.

Measures including greater police search powers are being considered to try and get illegal weapons out of the hands of gangs.

The locations of young people who are most at risk of having poor outcomes later in life have been revealed - as have the gaps in support for them.

Details have been confirmed for an inquiry into voluntary euthanasia, to be carried out by Parliament's health committee.

'He picked me up above his head and tried to throw me across the front entranceway.'