The Government has this morning paid out $1.7 billion to cover investor losses from the collapse of South Canterbury Finance.

The Govt has already made a $1.7bn payment to the trustees of South Canterbury Finance, which today called in the receivers.

Sth Canterbury Finance chief executive Sandy Maier says an announcement that will have "good and bad" in it is due sometime after 9.30am today.

John Armstrong writes that John Key must reassure investors that their cash is safe, while minimising the taxpayers' burden.

Bill English cancelled an overseas trip and John Key last night refused to rule out an injection of taxpayer funds as the Govt grappled with the fate of South Canterbury Finance.

The 300,000 people who attended a rally in Washington were told not to bring political placards.

Rest homes are refusing to comply with a demand to find old people's birth certificates to prove they are eligible for care subsidies.

Local Government Minister and Act Party leader Rodney Hide shares his vision for the new Super City.

Rural voters have some bargaining power now in the decision of who will govern Australia.

The South African public service is being riddled with strikes.

Auckland City's interim chief executive Doug McKay is drawing inspiration from global experts, writes Fran O'Sullivan.