Poland is confronting the worst political disaster since WWII after its president, his wife and dozens of top officials were killed in a plane crash.

The Ombudsman Office has ruled that retaining-wall piles for a luxury lodge at Pakiri Beach are on land reserved for planting bush.

A nuclear security summit next week is likely to be the tipping point for a push for global disarmament, writes Audrey Young.

Fran O'Sullivan writes that it is time New Zealand authorities were given the ability to issue a permanent ban against errant company directors.

Paul Thomas writes that there's a widespread assumption of American ignorance, particularly in the heartland.

The Maori Party's flagship policy is a step closer - but major details still have to be sorted out.

Jim Hopkins writes that we should ignore the naysayers and doom-merchants - our country has a few good reasons to smile.

New Zealanders are now strongly in favour of cutting the alcohol level for adult drivers - a proposal medical experts are pushing.

An NZ watchdog says Fiji's new media decree targets members of the public as well as journalists and editors.

Tariana Turia is to be the minister in charge of implementing the Whanau Ora policy - potentially the biggest shake-up of the welfare system in decades.