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.

A proposal to put an iconic Coromandel beach into public ownership has been withdrawn, but a new estimate that halves the land's value has given the Green Party hope a deal could still be done.

Wealthy parents receiving money from Working for Families look set to lose the funding as the Govt looks to find financial relief for the Christchurch quake.

The Soil and Health Association is backing calls by the Green Party for a parliamentary inquiry into failed genetic experiments on animals.

Agriculture Minister David Carter has ruled out government intervention to keep milk prices down, saying high international prices will benefit the New Zealand economy.

Nick Smith has ruled out holding an independent review of ACC's procedures around elective surgery claims unless the corporation begins to lose large numbers of appeals against its decisions.

There will be no Green Party candidate in the Botany by-election, after Richard Leckinger failed to get his nomination form in on time.

NZ's forest ecosystems are the second most threatened in the world and house only 5 per cent of their original habitat, according to an international report.

Russel Norman sees 'clean and green' as vital to country's future

After the sale hysteria of the 1980s New Zealanders are in no mood to have their family silver hocked off yet again.