Reports say Pete Bethune's prosecution in Tokyo has demanded a two-year prison term.

Nick Smith says uranium transiting through NZ ports will only be used for "peaceful purposes", despite one of its recipients being involved in making nuclear weapons.

NZ-Chinese representatives and a pro-Tibetan group are at odds over Russel Norman's anti-Chinese protest last week.

Members of the Pacific Islands Leaders Forum will travel to Fiji to see whether or not the situation has improved in the island nation.

NZ will join Australia in taking legal action over Japan's whaling programme if last minute diplomatic solutions are not found.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has announced a $5.5 million reconstruction package for Aitutaki following last month's cyclone.

From the Western perspective, China has been unwilling to shoulder responsibilities that go with greater international power.