NZ should remain a sovereign nation to deny Australia "the kiwi and the juiciest spring lamb", says Simon Schama.

Mayor Tim Shadbolt believes Invercargill voters would favour his political experience over the singing career of challenger Suzanne Prentice.

Thousands of Poles lined the streets of Warsaw as the coffin of President Lech Kaczynski was taken to the presidential palace after his death alongside at least 95 others in a plane crash in Russia.

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.

Mfat has updated its travel advisory for Thailand in the wake of mounting political protests that have so far seen 18 people killed.

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

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 Government's bank balance is better than forecast ahead of next month's Budget, but its income from tax has taken a hit.