The Government's message to melanoma petitioners at Parliament today is to wait for the Budget when Pharmac will almost certainly get an increase in its funding.

Prominent Asian New Zealanders are encouraging migrants to vote in the upcoming flag referendum through a series of videos. The videos were produced by the New Zealand Asian Leaders organisation, and chairwoman Mai Chen said they aim to improve low voter turnout among migrants. “Regardless of which flag you support, the point is to exercise your right to vote as citizens and permanent residents.” Gisborne mayor Meng Foon, Deloitte partner Wendy Lai and Spark business manager David Tse feature in the videos.

All Blacks great Dan Carter has appeared in a short video alongside a host of other high-profile Kiwis encouraging New Zealanders to vote for change in the upcoming flag referendum.

"I continue to have faith in the American people. And I think they realise that being president of the United States is a serious job. It’s not hosting a talk show," Obama said at a news conference in Rancho Mirage, California.

The NZ flag change referendum is once again in the celebrity spotlight after a shout-out from an actor on The Big Bang Theory.

Comedian John Oliver regularly takes satirical swipes at New Zealand on his HBO show 'Last Week Tonight'.

NZ Herald talks to Victoria Crone, former New Zealand managing director of Xero about her run for the Auckland mayoralty.

President Barack Obama says Australia has been "consistent and extraordinarily effective" fighting the Islamic State group.

New half-yearly forecasts by Treasury have seen the $176 million surplus forecast for the current financial year turn into a $401 million forecast deficit, but Finance Minister Bill English says he won't make any spending changes to try and maintain a surplus. "It's not disappointing; it's just another Treasury forecast,"

Labour Party leader Andrew Little has unveiled his shadow Cabinet of 22 MPs today. Among the big names, Jacinda Ardern has been rewarded, moving from ninth up into fifth slot, Kelvin Davis nudges up from eighth to seventh and Phil Twyford moves from fifth to fourth. Megan Woods has been promoted to the front bench sitting at 10th.

The Government has confirmed plans to urgently pass laws which will allow it to impose parole-like conditions on ex-criminals deported from overseas. But it admits 167 people who have already been deported from Australia do not currently face any supervision conditions unless they are considered at a very high risk of reoffending.

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.

Mike Hosking says 4th terms for governments are rare, and you have to go back a long way to find them in New Zealand. But the biggest problem for the Key government could be time, which makes governments look stale and bored.

The Red Peak flag will be added as a fifth option in the flag referendum, Prime Minister John Key has confirmed. The Government has agreed to pick-up legislation that was put forward by the Green Party this afternoon, which means the Red Peak design will join the four flag alternatives already selected.

Prime Minister John Key will be flying to New York for the General Assembly of the United Nations and expects a significant turn out. The TPP will be on the agenda.

Prime Minister John Key says there is 'no way we will be having a job sharing agreement' with New Zealand First.

Mike Hosking says good manners cost nothing, and Andrew Little is lacking. He calls out Little's comment that he "pities" Australia on the rise of Malcolm Turnbull to the highest office in the land.

John Key comments on the new Australian PM, Malcolm Turnbull.

Prime Minister John key comments on the Reserve Bank's warning regarding the resurgence in Auckland house prices over the past year and the risks to financial stability.

Prime Minister John Key answers questions regarding the current standpoint of the government in regards to GST on digital services and threshold of physical goods.

Prime Minister John Key speaks to the media about the ongoing TPP negotiations.

Another rowdy debate in parliament has marked a further step for the bill that allows the flag referendum process to take place. Opposition parties opposed to the $17 million exercise again said it was a waste of money. "Spending the remaining $17 million on changing the flag is just not justified" said Labour leader Andrew Little. NZ First Leader Winston Peters says that NZ First is adamantly for the present flag. Credit: NZN Video

Prime Minister John Key on TTP.

New Zealand First members have walked out of Parliamentary question time after Winston Peters was ejected by Speaker David Carter. The walk-out came after Social Development Minister Anne Tolley announced she had been mistaken when answering questions about controversial prison-operator Serco. Credit: NZN Video

Prime Minister John Key talks about the economy in China.

Labour Party leader Andrew Little talks about TPP.