The wave of protests across the Middle East and North Africa don't yet constitute revolution and real democratic change may be decades away, Auckland University associate professor Stephen Hoadley says.

An All Blacks tour of the United States has been suggested as away to promote sports diplomacy in a study released today at the US – NZ Partnership Forum in Christchurch.

The fourth US - NZ Partnership Forum got off to a faltering start in Christchurch this morning minus more of some of its big name players.

John Key and Julia Gillard have signed an agreement under the Closer Economic Relationship to increase investment between Australia and NZ.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced Australia will sell New Zealand apples in her address to the NZ Parliament.

Julia Gillard says Kiwis should not "fear Australia's strength" ahead of the signing of an investment protocol between the two countries.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has paid tribute to the help New Zealanders gave in the recent Queensland floods at a business lunch in Auckland today.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has touched down in NZ for a brief, 28-hour visit. She spoke to media of the two countries' close relationship before heading to a Trans-Tasman Business Circle lunch.

Allowing the Australian Prime Minister to address NZ's Parliament could undermine its sovereignty, the Greens say.

Diplomats in Cairo are doing all they can to help New Zealanders leave Egypt, Prime Minister John Key said today, while families here are fearing for their loved ones who remain in the crisis-torn country.

Kiwis with relatives in crisis-torn Egypt say they are worried about what might happen next. More than 100 people have been killed and thousands injured in anti-government riots as protesters demand that President Mubarak resigns.

What is the cost of a US free trade deal?

The US contacted Helen Clark's Government to complain about then minister Marion Hobbs attending the screening of a controversial film, WikiLeaks cables say.

Helen Clark has angrily denied claims her government sent NZ non-combat engineers to Iraq over a Fonterra contract.

Labour and National governments have unsuccessfully tried to get Japan to join us in Bamyan province, documents show.

NZ was disturbed by China's rising influence in the Pacific region, a WikiLeaks cable shows.

Former PM Helen Clark decided to send soldiers to Iraq to stop Fonterra losing Oil for Food contracts, according to a US Embassy cable - in just one of many WikiLeaks revelations that have been labelled 'disturbing'.

Chris Finlayson wanted to overturn NZ's anti-nuclear legislation without a public vote back in 2006, a WikiLeaks cable reveals.