Wellington Beltway denizens often refer to MFAT as standing for the Ministry for Fonterra and other Trade.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully told the UN Security Council that its future credibility and effectiveness depended on its permanent members making progress on reform.

A foreign official at an international conference sparked a police callout to an Auckland Hotel, but no details are being made public.

Labour's leadership contest roadshow carried less of a punch to the taxpayer's wallet than the last runoff in 2013, according to newly released list of MPs' expenses.

The toothfish pirates refused NZ permission to board, which we meekly obeyed, then, with fuel running out, we retired while the plundering continued, writes Brian Rudman.

The commanding officer of the navy ship that was outlasted by three ageing fishing vessels in the Southern Ocean has responded to critics who labelled the operation a disaster.

The Royal New Zealand Navy is being urged to escalate a standoff with two illegal fishing vessels in the Southern Ocean, with calls last night for a show of firepower.

New Zealand's Navy is in a standoff with two fishing vessels, whose crews are resisting attempts to be boarded.

New Zealand double Olympic gold medallist Valerie Adams had a scare when a plane she was on started to skid off a runway in Tonga.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has voiced its frustration over the unsolved killing of a NZ woman.

A Kiwi jihadist who claims to be fighting in Syria with Isis has been mistakenly broadcasting his exact location after forgetting to turn off his phone's tracking function.

Advice on where to watch an All Blacks match in a remote French village and how to repatriate a pet dog’s ashes are among the more unusual requests fielded by New Zealand consular officials overseas.

Foreign Affairs and Trade chief executive John Allen is resigning to take up a role in the private sector.

Prime Minister John Key says Russia has tried to reignite free trade talks - but New Zealand has made it clear it will not budge until Russia buckles to international demands over Ukraine.

Stalled free trade negotiations with India have taken a positive step forward with a commitment to schedule the next round of talks.

Departing and defeated MPs went out with a splurge on the taxpayer tab, with Mana leader Hone Harawira the biggest-spending MP, new expense details show.

A Malaysian diplomat facing sexual assault charges appears set to return to New Zealand this Friday.

A Kiwi jihadist who has links with al Qaeda and has taken up arms in Syria wants to come home -- but first needs a fresh New Zealand passport after burning his old one

Fine wines, controversial French delicacies and a protected species of fish have all been slapped on the taxpayers' tab by government ministers.

A plate of protected Antarctic toothfish and controversial dish foie gras were on the table at a lavish taxpayer-funded dinner hosted by Trade Minister Tim Groser.

An email to Murray McCully's office about former Malaysian diplomat Muhammed Rizalman bin Ismail invoking diplomatic immunity remained unopened for weeks.

Prime Minister John Key has come under fire for refusing to apologise to the victim of an alleged sex attack involving a Malaysian diplomat.

John Key will not personally apologise to the victim of an alleged sexual attack involving a Malaysian diplomat after she accused him of appearing bored with her case.

A Kiwi with links to al-Qaeda has taken up arms in Syria and says he will fight until he becomes a martyr.

The diplomat who left New Zealand after being charged with sexually assaulting a woman will be brought back at Malaysia's expense.

Opposition parties attacked the terms of reference of the sex case inquiry, released yesterday, for not specifically identifying the role of Mr McCully for scrutiny.

Police say they sought to remove the bail conditions for the Malaysian diplomat at the centre of a sex case — including an order to surrender his passport — because the conditions were not enforceable under diplomatic immunity.

Hone Harawira says he made a "big mistake" for earlier dismissing the sex assault case involving a Malaysian diplomat as a "big fuss about bugger all".