Stories by Mei Heron

The extent of the leaky and rotting buildings at Middlemore Hospital was not revealed to the current or former Health Ministers.

The government is suggesting it could wield influence over Air New Zealand through board appointments as the company looks at dropping another regional service Audio

The government has warned it will take smelters to court in the future instead of paying to help get rid of their toxic waste.

National Party leader Simon Bridges maintains that a system error led to people who signed petitions then being emailed and asked for donations.

The man a government agency allegedly spied on says it's good to see an investigation into questionable activities is under way.

Power Play - The Prime Minister's whirlwind tour of the Pacific Islands was a week of potently strong insect repellent, woven flax fans, and sweat, Mei Heron writes.

In a short trip to Tonga, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spent most of her day visiting Cyclone Gita-hit areas.

The government is looking at its pension rules to see if it can improve access for New Zealanders living in Niue and the Cook Islands.

Jacinda Ardern, the "daughter of Niue" has reunited with her parents, sister and niece while being welcomed to Niue as Prime Minister for the first time.

Children in the village of Moata'a spend their time playing with turtles and swimming among the mangroves, but there are fears their playground may not be around for much longer.

Samoa will receive an extra $3 million to help recover from Cyclone Gita.

The government has kicked off what it calls the "Pacific reset", with Jacinda Ardern beginning her first trip to the region as Prime Minister.

The Green Party has banned its ministers, MPs and staff from accepting corporate hospitality, such as free tickets to events unrelated to work.

The Children's Commissioner has urged MPs to consider lowering the voting age to 16.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she wasn't concerned about an Australian journalist's questions, much of which focused on her pregnancy. Video

The Queenstown Lakes District Council wants luxury homes to be exempt from the government's foreign buyers ban.

State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes was highly critical of the law last year after it failed to protect staff who spoke out about fraudster Joanne Harrison.

The government wants to reign in pay increases for chief executives and board members of Crown entities.

The National Party will vote against a medicinal cannabis bill which would allow patients to grow their own marijuana. Video

Farmers are getting up at 3am to move stock to avoid extreme daytime temperatures in Otago and Southland, where a state of drought may soon be declared.

Workers who have been hired and fired under the 90-day trial period are pleading with the government to scrap the law all together. Audio

Some Māori are demanding greater clarity about how the Trans-Pacific Partnership will affect the government's Treaty obligations.

Jane Stevens says the launch of a mental health inquiry has given her hope for the first time since her son's suicide three years ago. Audio

The mood is buoyant at Labour's first caucus meeting of the year in the Wairarapa.

A national agency featuring 'fly-in squads' should be set up to respond to emergencies and natural disasters, a ministerial review has recommended.