A former Govt minister is being investigated by police for allegedly using his ex-MP perk of taxpayer-funded flights on business trips.

Two iwi are considering boycotting a statutory Maori advisory board for the Auckland council.

Phil Goff has indicated that Labour is backing away from its stance of allowing customary title of the foreshore and seabed to be awarded to iwi.

The tax system has deteriorated beyond the point where tinkering and tweaking are enough, was the message this week.

Barack Obama has announced he will send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan despite growing pessimism about the war.