John Key's plans to rein in politicians’ pay appear to be in a shambles as critics point out it would actually have delivered bigger pay increases in the long-term.

The tactical voting deals are flying in Northland.

MPs will pass a law under urgency on Wednesday to cut their latest hefty pay rise and to index future increases against the same measure that is used for superannuation rises.

PM’s regular ‘disappointment’ with racheting salaries hits crunch time, John Armstrong writes.

Last week's column on the consequences of the TICSA generated a fair bit of feedback from the industry.

The $163 million cost of changing the child support rules will increase further when the IRD implements a completely new computer system.

Auckland mayor Len Brown and other local politicians have called for their pay to be reined in by the Government.

The Northland byelection had the makings of a real nailbiter if Labour had stood aside and made it a two-horse race.

Nearly 10 per cent of our coastal marine area is now safeguarded by reserves. But are we really doing enough? Science reporter Jamie Morton poses five key questions.

The Judicature Modernisation Bill had its second reading last week. Somehow it has not led the news, Dr Richard Cornes writes.

A female Republican politician in Las Vegas is sponsoring legislation to allow guns on campuses, but only to be handled by females.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has today rejected an application for a major seabed mining operation proposed off the coast of Canterbury.

Prime Minister John Key has announced a review of the ways the Government spends billions on vulnerable families and children ahead of the Budget in May.

The supplement salesman who won't lie about pre-workouts: "They have stupidly toxic amounts of caffeine. It drives you mental so you train like a crackhead."

Herald investigation shows makers of pre-workout supplements are always trying new tricks to beat government bans.

New laws cracking down on shell companies appear to be having an early effect, with police seeing a drop off in requests for information about New Zealand-registered firms.

One of Auckland's major hotels has been left dry for nearly a month over the holiday period because of a mix-up in renewing its liquor licence.

Sports law specialist Aaron Lloyd has welcomed the criminalisation of match-fixing that has passed into law this week, but says the legislation should go even further.

Nearly every cancer patient will have to receive treatment within 62 days under an ambitious three-year plan outlined by the Government today.

The Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill is expected to pass tonight under urgency with the support of National and Labour.

Some punters anxious to avoid penalties under the new drink-drive limits are expected to acquire a taste for lower-alcohol tipples.

Gehan Gunasekara writes: Privacy rules are inevitably cited as an excuse when bureaucratic bungling occurs in relation to managing people and information.

New Zealand and Australia have abandoned efforts to establish a joint therapeutic products regulator.

Cabinet signed off tough new measures to tackle gangs on the basis of inaccurate information which over-estimated the scale of the crime problem.

The number of fines issued by Auckland parking wardens for unsafe tyres has almost doubled in three years, but some councillors say the practice is 'over the top'.

A law which takes away the legal right to a tea break and weakens collective bargaining has taken line honours as the first law change passed in National’s third term.