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
Prime Minister John Key answers pre budget questions about the fall in Dairy prices and his previous commitment to address child poverty in New Zealand.
Attorney-General Chris Finlayson is "taking a close look" into the prosecution of John Banks following a ruling which found the Crown misled the court. Mr Banks was scathing of the conduct of scathing about the conduct of Crown prosecutor Paul Dacre, QC, and Solicitor-General Mike Heron, QC, following a Court of Appeal decision which acquitted him yesterday of filing a false electoral return.
Today in Mike's Minute - Where is the accountability in the John Banks case?
Finance minister Bill English talks about the 2015 budget.
Today on Mike's Minute - TV is fantastically competitive these days. You can't expect TVNZ to remain running as a profitable business by airing shows everyone knows are going to tank.
Can Britain be run for five years by a minority? Not a chance. The result of this British election is a potential a disaster - Today on Mike's Minute.
Today on Mike's Minute: Mike asks the question..."what housing bubble?"
Prime Minister John Key talks about the future of the New Zealand flag.
Prime Minister John Key says he is paying for legal advice about his tugging of a waitress' hair out of his own pocket. Mr Key told reporters this afternoon he was not worried about any legal action, and he only hired a lawyer because he might be required to answer questions in relation to a private prosecution taken against him.
Former Auckland mayor, John Banks, speaks about his hearing at Wellington's High Court.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he is certain New Zealand defence forces "will give a fine account of themselves" in the joint training mission with Australia in Iraq to help Iraq fight the Islamic State. "They will be I suppose splendid sons of Anzacs, that's what they will be, over there in Iraq."
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he is certain New Zealand defense forces "will give a fine account of themselves" in the joint training mission with Australia in Iraq to help Iraq fight the Islamic State. "They will be I suppose splendid sons of Anzacs, that's what they will be, over there in Iraq."
Mr Peters holding a street meeting in Kaikohe while campaigning in the Northland byelection.
The Whittaker's Big Egg Hunt is organised to raise money for Auckland's Starship children's hospital. The super-sized egg painted by Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson is just one of 100 that will be placed throughout city centres - in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. For those keen to get in on the hunt, there are prizes for those who find the eggs, on display until April 7. The eggs will also be auctioned - 80 on Trade Me and 20 at a gala cocktail evening on March 31.
The sledging between New Zealand and Australia that can be expected on Eden Park tomorrow began tonight between Prime Ministers John Key and Tony Abbott. New Zealand had been generous in what it had given Australia over the years, Mr Key told a gala dinner to mark the Cricket World Cup including pavlova, Phar Lap and Mr Abbott's wife, Margie. But what had New Zealand got from Australia? "Russel Norman, the co-leader of the Green Party, and the Queensland fruit fly." Mr Abbott was kinder on New Zealand.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott gave no hint last night in his first speech of his official visit to New Zealand that he might not be in the job much longer. Drawing inspiration from a speech President Xi Jinping of China had given in Australia, he said "if you want to walk fast, walk alone but if you want to walk far, walk together". Mr Abbott was looking forward to walking fast and far with New Zealand into the future, he told a leadership forum in Auckland.
Prime Minister John Key has launched an angry counter-attack over Labour leader Andrew Little's opposition to the deployment of troops to Iraq, saying Mr Little needs to "get some guts" and questioning whether he would make the right decisions for New Zealand. Mr Key said Mr Little knew the numbers of New Zealanders considered possible risks as extremists had increased from 30-40 last year to 60-70 now. There was also a greater risk to travelling New Zealanders. Footage: IntheHouse.co.nz
Prime Minister John Key has launched an angry counter-attack over Labour leader Andrew Little's opposition to the deployment of troops to Iraq.
The Chief of the Defence Force, Lieutenant General Tim Keating, says New Zealand troops deployed to Iraq will have force protection for self defence and and all forces will be armed. Lieutenant General Keating briefed media on some aspects of the deployment soon after Prime Minister John Key announced it would go ahead. Lieutenant General Keating said any deployment such as this carried risks, so force protection would be sent with the trainers, able to respond in self-defence. He said safety would be paramount and all of those on the ground would carry arms. While no status of forces agreement had been resolved, he said there were other ways to ensure legal protections for the troops. All of those on the ground in Iraq would be armed.
NZ Political parties react to the Government decision to send troops to Iraq.Even Act - a party which is straight up and down about New Zealand needing to contribute to curry favour with traditional alllies - is expressing reservations about the deployment. Never mind Labour and the Greens. When the likes of Peter Dunne are vehemently opposed to such a course of action - and Winston Peters for that matter too - then Key really has reason to worry whether he has called this one right. The essential problem is with the training role. No-one has any confidence it will make even a skerrick of difference to what ultimately happens in Iraq.
New Zealand will send a non-combat training mission with Australia to Taji Camp, north of Baghdad in Iraq - although it will not be a badged mission, says Prime Minister John Key. It would be reviewed after nine months and last no more two years. The total would be up to 143 New Zealand personnel.
Prime Minister John Key has sidestepped the question of whether Team New Zealand skipper has been dumped, praising him for being a very successful sportsman, but his future role is for Team NZ to decide , not the Government.
As Treaty of Waitangi celebrations began in the North, the two Pakeha men attempted to solve the problems of the past 175 years. Dr Morgan would have the settlement of historical grievances as the beginning of a true treaty-based relationship with Maori, while National Party and Act Party leader Dr Brash, sees it as the end of obligations rooted in the past.
Prime Minister John Key responds to Labour allegations of when and what he knew about former Northland MP Mike Sabin.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond says New Zealand is regarded as family and he hopes it will become actively involved in the fight against the Islamic State. At a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Murray McCully at Parliament this afternoon, Mr Hammond said: "Frankly we've got used to New Zealand being there alongside us, alongside the US, the UK, Australia, as part of the family.
Prime Minister John Key says Isis has to be confronted but accepts that there is danger involved.
Prime Minister John Key answeres questions regarding his knowledge of National Party MP Mike Sabin's personal issues which caused Sabin to resign from his role.
Thousands of state houses to be sold and tenants moved on as the Government looks to private sector to deliver social housing. Prime Minister John Key has set out plans to expand the provision of social housing, which could see up to 8000 state houses sold by 2017 and up to 5000 better-off state tenants moved out to make way for needier cases. The plan could see tenanted state houses sold to approved community housing providers or iwi at a discount rate so long as the houses remained as subsidised rentals.
Labour leader Andrew Little has begun broadening Labour's image as as the "jobs party," not just a party for working labour, but for wealth-creating business, especially small business, and for those who want to be their own boss.
Auckland Mayor Len Brown answers our questions on rates, Sky City convention Center and more.
During his recent visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping sought New Zealand's help to return a number of fugitives who had fled China with the proceeds of corruption, Prime Minister John Key says.
John Key talks on the possibility that NZ joins up with Australia as part of a training capability, but there are no decisions made on a badged unit.