South Canterbury Finance's exploiting of a Govt guarantee "violated a lot of prudent lending criteria", its CEO says.

South Canterbury Finance got into trouble by lending money to people who couldn't pay it back and on assets that have no value.

Allan Hubbard is blaming Government regulations for the failure of South Canterbury Finance.

Finance Minister Bill English says its quick payout to cover losses by South Canterbury Finance investors will mean "minimal disruption" to the wider economy.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

The South African public service is being riddled with strikes.

Prince Charles is strange and his father so prejudiced that he could be a breakfast TV host, says NZ's former deputy prime minister.