A proposal to ban smoking at beaches and other public places doesn't have the support of John Key, who thinks it is too "nanny state".

Maori Party MP Hone Hawawira says the solution to the Foreshore and Seabed Act would be to put the foreshore and seabed under Maori control.

Health officials tackling Maori smoking want new measures to ban the habit at beaches, playgrounds, bus stops and other areas.

The woman who designed the Tino Rangatiratanga flag disputes accusations that the family of embattled Maori Party MP Hone Harawira are "cashing in" on the flag.

Rawiri Taonui looks at the alliance with the National Party and the year ahead for Maori.

Labour has been challenged to reciprocate Ratana's decades-long loyalty by giving four Ratana candidates winnable Parliamentary list positions.

Prime Minister John Key arrived far too early for the party, but got the present he wanted at the annual Ratana celebrations yesterday.

Preventive detention will be retained as a sentencing option for judges under the Government's proposed "three strikes" legislation, Police Minister Judith Collins said today.

The Minister of Maori Affairs is warning that people using a 'Maori Traveller's Permit' instead of a driver's licence will be prosecuted.

Maori Party MP Hone Harawira says the sentiment behind his "white mother....ers" remarks remains and the "rape of Maori land" continues.

A Northland hapu leader says flying the "tino rangatiratanga" flag at the Treaty grounds during Waitangi celebrations would be a breach of treaty rights.

The Ministry of Health has given the clearest signal yet that the Government is likely to increase the tax on cigarettes to help slash the number of people who smoke.

A new PM defied the odds as the Govt struggled to deal with the worst recession in decades, and Labour played catch up politics.

Another abusive email has Hone Harawira back in the political spotlight.