The agency in charge of parliamentary staff has agreed to a cash bonus for union members, despite John Key's National Party previously denouncing such deals as discriminatory.

An "insurmountable" lack of radiologists has forced the Southern District Health Board to relinquish the southern breast-screening service from the middle of next year, the board announced yesterday.

The jobs of 139 health and safety inspectors will be disestablished and staff made to reapply for the positions.

Prime Minister John Key will get $3895 in backpay and an extra $150 a week as a result of a 1.9 per cent increase for MPs awarded by the Remuneration Authority.

The untimely death of top lawyer Greg King has focused attention on one of society's most unpopular jobs. Jared Savage examines the case for the defence.

Buddy Mikaere imagines a Waitangi Day that will mean something special to all New Zealanders.

Health workers have presented management of a mental health facility with a vote of no confidence after hundreds of assaults by patients.

The Government is being accused of taking a slash and burn approach to spending after Finance Minister Bill English signalled cuts to public services and new figures showed substantial job losses in the sector.

Meat inspectors at a Wanganui plant say they have to meet their union representative on a public road after being denied a meeting at the workplace.

Some government programmes will be axed as budget spending is cut to pay for rebuilding Christchurch, Prime Minister John Key says.

Thirty-five jobs may be up for the chop but affected staff are being consulted before any decisions, Niwa says.