The Government says the Green Party's shared equity housing policy would lead to more debt without solving New Zealand's housing affordability crisis.

John Key says Hollywood finds New Zealand more attractive than other countries because it does not have a strong union movement.

The Green Party has ambitious plans for a shared-equity housing ownership model designed to help low-income families with dependent children into home ownership.

Having done his utmost to get the Maori Party into the intensive care unit, Harawira has put on his quack's white coat and offered to give it the kiss of life, writes Claire Trevett.

Green Party list MP Gareth Hughes talks to political editor Audrey Young about heroes and holidays.

Eugenie Sage, Christchurch-based Green Party list MP, talks to political editor Audrey Young.

A Christmas story from an associate, who was in a Salvation Army op shop when a family - mum, dad, and three children - stopped by to drop off a new bike.

Government-backed low-interest loans to undercut "loan sharks" could be on the cards in the wake of a pragmatic final report of an expert group on child poverty.

The Reserve Bank is watching the housing market, but at this point not so much like a hawk as like a dove, writes Brian Fallow.

If any bias has been on display it is Norman's against the banks, commercial and central, writes Brian Fallow.

It was one small step for the Labour Party, but in terms of a morale boost it was one giant leap for party leader David Shearer, writes Claire Trevett.

National still believes that all growth is good growth, but it isn't, writes Russel Norman. "Growth that leads to more debt, pollution and environmental destruction is bad growth."

Recent polls have shown that Labour's popularity is on the rise, with one indicating Labour, with support of the Greens, would hold enough seats to run Government.

New Reserve Bank powers and quantitative easing are among tools that could wean us off debt without hurting economy, writes Russell Norman.

Labour says it has not taken a position on whether to back the United States proposal for a large reserve in the Antarctic's Ross Sea.

It is appalling that so many of our rivers are not clean enough for swimming.The reason is obvious. This is a farming country.

More than half of monitored recreational sites on our rivers are unsafe for swimming, a report has revealed.