"Racist" and "inappropriate" remarks by Act MP Hilary Calvert have been condemned by the Maori Party and Attorney-General.

The organiser of a hikoi which marched peacefully down Auckland's Queen Street today says the new foreshore and seabed legislation breaches the Treaty of Waitangi.

Measures to give regulators stronger powers to control potentially dangerous goods like laser pointers are among a suite of changes to consumer law introduced today by Consumer Affairs Minister John Boscawen.

NZ fund managers rated the most stink in the world by Morningstar.

Legislation that will replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act could become law by the end of the week, and in Parliament today parties opposed to it were preparing to fight it to the last clause.

Police tonight named 12 more people who died in last month's Christchurch earthquake. Meanwhile, The people of Christchurch remain nervous about the future of rugby World Cup games in their earthquake-ravaged city.

Hone Harawira says it was "dumb" and shameful that he forgot to vote on the bill that was the main reason for his break with the Maori Party.

The second reading of the bill to replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act has passed through Parliament and former Maori Party MP Hone Harawira wasn't there to vote against it - despite the bill being the reason for him leaving his party.

Tavern owner tells MPs change is needed to stop price-cutting

Former Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright has made a plea to the Government to be bolder on alcohol reform.

Paying overnight staff to sleep will cost more than $500 million over three years and changing the law may be considered, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.

The Maori Party today continued to hound Local Government Minister Rodney Hide over his attitude to Auckland Council's Maori Statutory Board, asking in Parliament what he meant when he said yesterday it was "inherently divisive".