Rotting buildings are NZ's worst catastrophe, but the Govt is cashing in, says a study commissioned by the North Shore City Council.

Jim Hopkins writes that our memories go into cliche mode when politicians mention the digging of large holes.

Messages are starting to arrive on my desk from disgruntled entrants in the Super City logo contest.

Susan St John, associate professor in the economics department of the University of Auckland Business School and spokeswoman for the Child Poverty Action Group, questions the results claimed for new rules on benefits.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee accused the Labour Party of hypocrisy yesterday when he revealed the previous government approved 218 permits for mining on conservation land.

The Government confirms its restructuring of a number of agencies over the next three years will see 55 jobs lost.

The 2010 prize for the best baguette de tradition, or traditional baguette, in Paris has been won by a man born in Senegal.

Under French tradition, Dominique de Villepin's political hopes should be 'dead in the water'.

Work testing sole parents on the DPB is an unjustifiable breach of human rights, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson told Parliament today.

Ratepayers face a tax bill of tens of millions of dollars because of Govt plans to have much of the Super City run by commercial bodies, the Auckland City Council says.