Prime Minister John Key comments on The Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal (TPP), and the concerns raised by anti-TPP groups.

The Labour Party says it will only support the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership if it contains "key protections" for New Zealanders. Prime Minister John Key doesn't believe that Labour MP's who were ministers in the previous government really don't believe it's in New Zealand's interests to sign the TPP. Credit: NZN Video

In his speech to the National Party's annual conference in Auckland, Mr Key said the changes would help spread the benefits of migration across the country, particularly in those regions which required workers, skills and investment. Under the changes skilled migrants applying for residency would boost their bonus points - which are used to calculate whether they be approved or not - from 10 to 30 points if they had a job offer outside Auckland. Credit: NZN Video

NZIER's monetary policy shadow board favours a cut to the official cash rate of 25 basis points to 3 per cent tomorrow. But as the next best option there is more support for an on-hold decision than for a cut of 50 basis points.

The government's delayed health and safety reform bill should be reported back to parliament by the end of this week, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse says. Credit: NZN Video

The political row about the impact of offshore Chinese investors on Auckland's overheated housing market was raised with Finance Minister Bill English during his recent trip to China. The latest debate stems from Labour's controversial release of data showing 40 per cent of houses sold in Auckland over a three-month period went to people with Chinese surnames. Prime Minister John Key says he hopes publicity around Labour's list of property buyers with Chinese names isn't damaging New Zealand's image in China while Labour leader Andrew Little is defending the decision. Greens co-leader Metiria Turei says that Labour has mis-used the data. Credit: NZN Video

The political row about the impact of offshore Chinese investors on Auckland's overheated housing market was raised with Finance Minister Bill English during his recent trip to China. The latest debate stems from Labour's controversial release of data showing 40 per cent of houses sold in Auckland over a three-month period went to people with Chinese surnames. Mr Little said he doesn't think Labour is damaging New Zealand's reputation. "Information is information and we thought very carefully before we released it, but the information told a story that was in direct contradiction to what the government has been saying for the last couple of years, which is the impact of non-resident foreign buyers on the Auckland housing market is barely noticeable," he said. Credit: NZN Video

Political leaders have backed the Prime Minister over his son's viral holiday video - saying it's none of their business. Max Key released a YouTube clip of his holiday in Hawaii with girlfriend Amelia Finlayson, which included a cameo appearance by Mr Key standing pensively on some rocks.

The marae where kereru was served up to government ministers says it didn't know at the time that it was illegal to eat the protected native bird. Amy Adams, Nathan Guy and Dame Tariana Turia were at a meeting of around 40 iwi leaders at Maungarongo Marae in Ohakune in 2013 where kereru was on the menu. Conservation Minister Maggie Barry says that serving kereru which has died of natural causes is extremely unwise. Source: NZN Video

Colin Craig has admitted that some of his interactions with former press secretary Rachael MacGregor were "inappropriate", but rejects accusations of sexual harassment.

A small crowd of about 50 people have turned out at a public meeting in Auckland tonight to discuss looming rates increases. Nine speakers, including a line-up of local and national politicians, are among those speaking at the Auckland Rates Increases public meeting at the Mt Eden War Memorial Hall in Dominion Rd. The meeting follows a decision by Auckland Council to raise rates by 6.9 per cent from next month, although new valuations and a plan to lower business rates means the average household rates increase is 9.9 per cent.

Today on Mike's Minute: It's not as simple as forcing landlords to insulate homes.

John Key says MPs would have to treat any proposed euthanasia law as "a conscience issue" but it was inevitable the topic would re-emerge in Parliament.

Today on Mike's Minute - Let's clear something up - there is no boat of refugees coming our way.

Today on Mike's Minute - The New Zealand Labour Party know what went wrong in last year's election but do they want to fix it?

Prime Minister John Key answers questions about Auckland housing land and Ngati Whatua.

Today on Mike's Minute - James Shaw doesn't need a long history in politics to be a successful co-leader.

Today on Mike's Minute - Russel Norman's replacement has a big job ahead of him, and I'm not sure the candidates are up to the job

John Key gave a post-Budget address at a Trans-Tasman Business Circle function in Auckland, addressing questions about benefit increases. He says the increases were lost on protesters outside the meeting who he says were "protesting for the sake of it".

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."

Warning: Contains some strong language. Violence has erupted in a noisy demonstration outside SkyCity in Auckland, with Paul Henry getting caught up in the protest when entering the building.

Violence has erupted in a noisy demonstration outside SkyCity in Auckland, just as the Prime Minister arrives for his seventh post-budget speech. Gia Garrick reports it's a stand-off, with protestors and police shoulder to shoulder and demonstrators shouting right into their faces. "Protestors have run at police who are lining the entrances to SkyCity. They're still chanting in to megaphones, but running at the police. It's become quite rowdy down here."

Bill English, finance minister, answers questions about the 2015 budget.

Mike Hosking on the budget 'moving into Labour's territory'.

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.