Public servants have been told to cut back on expenses after some $875,000 was spent by chief executives between July 2008 and June 2010.

New Zealand's unemployment rate surged back to a 10-year high in the last quarter, rising from 6 per cent to 6.8 per cent, a leap which surprised analysts.

New Zealand will boost the monitoring of Pacific fisheries to help an industry that loses more than $400 million a year because of poor enforcement.

For the first time in decades, a trilateral meeting between the US, Australia and NZ will be held.

The endorsement of Fiji's military regime by some Pacific countries is unlikely to affect the Pacific Islands Forum's suspension of Fiji, says Murray McCully.

The Solomon Islands has beefed up security for the country's national elections, hoping to avoid the kind of violence that has marred previous polls following unpopular results.

Sir Geoffrey Palmer says heading an inquiry into a fatal Israeli raid on an aid flotilla will probably be the hardest job he has done.

Auckland tribes are seeking a co-management deal for the Waitemata and Manukau harbours in upcoming Treaty negotiations.