Act MP David Garrett thought faking his appearance to steal a dead baby's identity to obtain a passport was "a bit of a lark", a court file reveals.

The Prime Minister is refusing to comment on whether Act MP David Garrett should resign from Parliament but has called the use of a dead baby's identity as "bizarre."

New Zealand's analogue television service will be switched off progressively nationwide between September 2012 and late 2013, the Government said today.

NZ Herald readers have reacted strongly to the revelation that Act's hardline law and order spokesman MP David Garrett applied for a passport under the name of a dead child in the 1980s.

His credibility on the line, Rodney Hide has backed MP David Garrett, who admitted stealing a dead baby's identity to obtain a false passport.

Garth George writes that an expanded screening programme for Down Syndrome may go against the rights of the disabled.

Former Defence Force scientist Stephen Wilce ignored concerns about military projects which led to at least one cost blow-out of $100 million.

Tariana Turia, co-leader of the Maori Party, writes about the foreshore and seabed debates and tides of change.

Stalled negotiations between teachers and the Ministry of Education may even see students told to stay at home.

It can be hard to keep perspective when an incident as devastating as the Christchurch earthquake occurs.