Auckland rail officials have been accused of "incompetence on a grand scale" for building a platform too short for the trains it will serve.

John Key's dream of turning Queens Wharf into "party central" for the Rugby World Cup is in tatters following a political impasse between the Govt and the ARC.

It's time John Key put the dummy back in Murray McCully's mouth and sent him to the Chris Carter home for over-stressed politicians.

The ARC, co-owner of Queens Wharf, has voted to keep one of the wharf sheds as a Rugby World Cup "party central" venue, alongside the Govt's temporary Cup structure dubbed the "slug".

Three rugs, four necklaces and a wristwatch from Jacques Chirac were among gifts Helen Clark took with her when she left Parliament.

NZ won't extend the number of refugees it accepts and needs to address the increasing risk of people-smuggling boats hitting our shores, says the PM.

The federal government has announced efforts are under way to set up a regional processing centre for asylum seekers in East Timor.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard appears set to toughen Labor's policy on asylum seekers.

Following fast on the declaration of additional help for Hungary, Ukraine has announced that it too will apply for fresh funding; a loan of US$14.9 billion ($21.5 billion) to help plug the country's budget deficit and boost investor confide

The father of a young man who was stabbed to death says knife crime law changes are unlikely to be effective in limiting access to weapons.