David Cunliffe has tried just about everything to put a dent in the Government's poll ratings without success, writes Brian Rudman. He's now dipping into Winston Peters' murky bag of trick

Labour leader David Cunliffe wants to cut the level of immigration but won't say by how much.

Labour leader David Cunliffe has defended helping a Chicago-based friend buy a house in Omaha, despite saying overseas investors were hurting the housing market.

Rogue dairy farmers exploiting migrant workers have no place in the industry, a senior farming leader says.

John Key said attempts by people smugglers to bring 50 asylum seekers by boat to NZ was not unexpected, and confirmed the Government’s intelligence reporting.

Kiwis leaving for Australia fell to a record low boosting net migration to levels the Reserve Bank says will help drive up house prices and stoke inflation.

Learning English was just a dream for Ye Tun Oo, let alone being able to start a degree in an English-speaking country.

Labour and Greens have pulled their support for a law change which cracks down on migrant exploitation.

Migration pressures which Labour says are contributing to a housing crisis were worse under Helen Clark's Government.

With today's Budget expected to herald a return to surpluses - skinny next year but plumper in the following years - it is time to start thinking about what to do with them, writes Brian Fallow.

The Reserve Bank is indicating the removal of restrictions on high loan-to-value home loans may be gradual rather than a now-you-see-it, now-you-don't affair.

The strength of the surge in net immigration will influence both the outlook for interest rates and how long loan-to-value ratio curbs remain in place, says Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Grant Spencer.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has confirmed he was lobbied by Maurice Williamson about rule changes for wealthy foreign investors - as sought by Donghua Liu.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has confirmed that he met with Chinese businessman Donghua Liu, and heard his requests for a change in immigration policy.

Prime Minister John Key laid out the welcome mat for foreigners yesterday and said it was a point of contrast between National and other parties.

Maurice Williamson's lack of judgment is symptomatic of a person who has been cosseted for far too long, writes Kerre McIvor.

Most foreign investors who come to New Zealand bring capital and "know how" and make a great contribution to our young country, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig could be one of the candidates challenging Maurice Williamson in the Pakuranga electorate this year.

An Indian national with a master's degree was declined an opportunity to apply for residence as a skilled migrant, despite being more qualified than was required.

It would be a stretch to describe celebrity chef Nigella Lawson's encounters with American and New Zealand immigration authorities as Kafkaesque writes Paul Thomas.

Some New Zealanders have discovered a "lifeline" in Australia's Department of Immigration rules which make it a lot harder for Kiwis to get the rights of permanent residence.

NZ immigration officials have been forced to admit celebrity chef Nigella Lawson is eligible for a visa after they could find no evidence that she'd been banned from the US.

Germany has overtaken Japan to become NZ's fifth-biggest source of tourists and the royal visit has increased interest in other key markets.

New Zealand migration rose to an 11-year high in March, the second-highest gain on record, as fewer kiwis left for Australia.

Life is just fine for many Kiwis living in Australia who say they have nothing to moan about after crossing the Tasman in search of a better life.

Labour's immigration spokesman is concerned about the consistency of Immigration New Zealand's decisions after it granted a visa exemption to Nigella Lawson.

The migrant vote could "swing the political ballot" as the number of overseas-born New Zealanders reach over a million, a diversity expert says.