Judith Collins will return to Cabinet and get her corrections and police portfolios back. John Key says after a year on the backbenches he believes she'll do a good job on the police and corrections portfolios.
Labour leader Andrew Little has taken the ultimate photo-op risk by going skydiving. Mr Little did a tandem skydive from 19,000 feet above the Franz Josef Glacier today to help launch a new kea conservation programme promoted by Skydive Franz and the Kea Conservation Trust.
A public service for Jonah Lomu will be held at Eden Park on Monday, Prime Minister John Key has announced. "This service will be open to all members of the public who want to remember the significant contribution Jonah made, not only to rugby here and overseas, but also to the wider community through his work with charities such as Unicef and Kidney Kids NZ."
The Prime Minister has hit out at Labour leader Andrew Little’s trip to Canberra to lobby for expat Kiwi’s rights - claiming the visit could jeopardise progress being made through quiet diplomacy.
Prime Minister John Key addresses the media after today's terror attacks in France, saying 'the information is not very fluid at this point' and there are a lot of unaccounted for people. He advises Kiwis in France to make contact with their families.
Prime Minister John Key addresses the media, calling the attacks in Paris 'heinous' and saying "It's a tragic day for the people of France".
MPs have staged a walk-out at Parliament for the second day in a row over John Key's comments about "rapists" on Christmas Island. Jan Logie and Catherine Delahunty talk to the media after the walk out.
Prime Minister John Key has accused the Labour Party of "backing rapists" in an extraordinary attack in Parliament this afternoon.
Prime Minister John Key said it was likely New Zealanders were involved in the riots, but he did not have official confirmation of that. "My office has had an update...we're obviously aware of what's taking place there. It's a difficult situation to get all the facts on," he said. "My understanding is that there could be a small number of New Zealanders involved but we haven't been advised of any injuries to New Zealanders."
New Zealanders involved in riots at a Christmas Island detention centre could be harming any chance they had of staying in Australia, Prime Minister John Key says.
New Zealand plans to table a resolution at the United Nations Security Council to end a new wave of violence between Israelis and Palestinians. Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the draft resolution would also reiterate the security council's commitment to a two-state solution. Addressing the council this morning (NZ time), Mr McCully said a formal resolution had not been made by the UNSC on the issue for six years. Supplied: UNSC
The Government has pulled off its promised surplus for the 2014/15 year after Crown accounts released today confirmed a $414 million surplus - a turnaround from the forecast deficit in May's Budget. Video: Mark Mitchell
Helen Kelly has delivered her last major speech as Council of Trade Unions president - receiving a standing ovation at the union's conference after a fiery address.
Prime Minister John Key says the Trans Pacific Partnership will not technically prevent a future Labour Government from banning the sale of residential properties to foreigners.
Wellington City's Mayor is showing her support for a flag change by raising the five alternatives above the Wellington Town Hall. Video: Josh Price
A powerful cyber-attack has targeted certain officials in a government department in a possible effort to access sensitive information.
The final four alternative flag designs are to be released - with Prime Minister John Key saying he could vote for three of them over the current flag.
Protesters jostled with police last night as they tried to disrupt a National Party fundraising event in Dunedin. Trans Pacific Partnership opponents hoped Prime Minister John Key would enter through the Savoy restaurant's public entrance, but it is understood he used another door. Mr Key had earlier been guest of honour at the Otago Daily Times Class Act event at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery in the Octagon. Source: ODT
Councils will be able to decide whether retailers can open on Easter Sunday.
New Zealanders could be paying GST on iTunes and Netflix before Christmas.
The Corrections Department has today confirmed plans to take over Serco's management of Mt Eden Correctional Facility.
Government ministers who were at a marae when kereru was served were unaware that the protected bird was being offered up as food, Prime Minister John Key says.
Conservative Party leader stands down as leader so party can review the position.
Labour leader Andrew Little says the party will consider means testing superannuation but he did not agree with increasing the age of eligibility despite concern about the rising costs. Speaking at a post Budget business breakfast, Mr Little accused the Government of recklessness for failing to address superannuation in the Budget, the rising cost of which he said was "terrifying."
Reactions to the 2015 budget release including the editor from North Shore Greypower, and the President of the Auckland Chinese Community Centre.
Mr English has set aside $52 million in contingency funding to fund work with private sector developers to build affordable houses on under-utilised Crown land - Housing and Building Minister Nick Smith will begin meeting developers on May 29 to discuss potential partnerships. Mr English said it was likely that iwi would get first right of refusal on some of the land.
One of the Budget surprises was the introduction of a levy on travellers leaving and entering New Zealand to boost biosecurity funding by $100 million a year. The $6 for departing passengers and $16 for arriving passengers will be added to the cost of an airline ticket. The other Budget surprise was the axing of the $1000 kickstart payment for people when they sign up to Kiwisaver which is estimated to save $500 million over four years.
Beneficiary families and low-income working families will get a boost of up to $25 a week as part of a child hardship package which is the centre-piece of Bill English's seventh Budget. It is the first increase in core benefits, apart from inflations adjustments, since 1972 and will affect 110,000 families.
Brian Fallow, economics editor for NZ Herald on the 2015 budget.
NZ First MP Ron Mark has apologised after he was caught swearing on a live microphone in Parliament's debating chamber. See the moment - and the sign language interpreter's own take - at the four minute mark in this video.
Labour leader Andrew Little penned a lengthy poem that poked fun at National ahead of tomorrow's Budget, and read it out in the house today. Watch his poetry efforts in this video, starting at around the 2:30 mark. Video / Youtube / in the house
Greens co-leader Metiria Turei speaks about what she would like to see in this year's budget, and says that the Prime Minister needs to focus on making life better for the country's children. Video / Mark Mitchell
Prime Minister John Key outlines the 2015 budget. He says that the budget "will be about sticking to a plan that's working for New Zealand".
New Zealand soldiers will not be withdrawn from Iraq even if the Islamic State reaches Baghdad, Prime Minister John Key says, after huge gains by the extremist group brought the conflict closer to the capital.