Latest from Legislation

Clean rivers campaign ramps up

A grassroots environment group is ramping up a lobbying campaign for more stringent "bottom line" rules around freshwater quality.

Safety changes prevent re-entry - English

The very health and safety changes which the Pike River disaster prompted make re-entering the mine difficult, Prime Minister Bill English says.

MP says public sector must do more

Critics have slammed the Ministry of Social Development for rejecting a clause to establish special family violence leave saying they were "disappointed" and "saddened" by the decision.

Are councils prepared enough for oil spills?

Fewer than half of councils have enough staff trained to respond to marine oil spills.

Revealed: Bold plan to save Hauraki Gulf

Proposed new marine protected areas, rules for polluters and changes to commercial fishing methods have been revealed in a long-awaited master plan for the Hauraki Gulf.

Hazard of Winz office layout 'obvious'

The Ministry of Social Development is awaiting sentencing on breach of health and safety legislation after the 2014 Ashburton Work and Income office killings.

Proposals to reduce dog harm

Further proposals to reduce the risk and harm of dog attacks has been given a tentative thumbs up from local animal welfare advocates

Nanogirl: Lawmakers must keep up

COMMENT: Technology is advancing at such a pace there is a risk our lawmakers, unless they are up to speed, will founder on legal and ethical decisions.

170-year-old grievances settled in Parliament

Three Treaty of Waitangi settlements worth $225m are being passed into law today.

'No chance' Govt will legalise euthanasia

A major inquiry into euthanasia is taking place, but the Govt has already concluded it will not lead to any changes in New Zealand.

New law takes sparkle out of school gala

Concerns over the impacts of new health and safety legislation have seen the cancellation of a popular school gala day and fireworks display.

Written constitution unwanted and unwarranted

COMMENT: Palmer and Butler are drawing public attention to the benefits of our current constitutional arrangements.

Protest restrictions for historic US ship visit

Protest boats will be banned from parts of Auckland's harbour during a historic visit by a United States warship.

Soldiers ordered to pay back bonuses

Thousands of US servicemen have been told to pay back enlistment bonuses, a decade after signing up for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Missing for 6 weeks: Patient found dead

Two investigations are under way into the suspected suicide of a mental health patient who had fled a psychiatric hospital and was missing for weeks.

New food laws could hike childcare prices

New food safety laws are forcing childcare centres to stop providing food for kids, or increase fees, the Early Childhood Council says.

Opinion: Simplified constitution critical for future

COMMENT: Geoffrey Palmer and Andrew Butler reply to concerns written document would be ponderous undertaking.

ACC law derails hip compensation claims

Kiwi claimants are pressing on with their bid to have a hip maker punished.