Stories by Gia Garrick

A directive has been sent to Immigration New Zealand staff with orders to not grant visas to Russians blacklisted by the country's security allies.

The Green Party is gritting its teeth and supporting a bill that would have prevented the success of its founding members and will put out some of its core membership.

The government is playing the blame game over the potential for ongoing restrictions on public access to conservation land at Lake Hāwea.

Phil Goff wants to expand the City Rail Link project to cater for a "rocketing increase" in people using it.

There are warnings the government will struggle to find enough good staff to make some of its mental health policies a reality. Audio

There are fears pay parity in the health workforce will be skewed as nurses continue their campaign for better pay and conditions.

National wants answers as to why the Economic Development Minister is giving out cash to a private trust it says is set to make a killing off it.

Defence Minister Ron Mark is now under pressure to replace the Air Force's ageing Hercules fleet before their useby date in three to five years.

Defence Minister Ron Mark is being urged to scrap plans to put missiles and bombs on board the new aircraft that will replace the country's old P-3 Orions. Audio

MPs are being warned letting agents and property managers will get creative and charge other costs to tenants if letting fees are banned.

Politicians have beef with Air New Zealand over its promotion of a meat substitute 'Impossible Burger.'

National is crying foul after Internal Affairs Minister was picked to oversee an inquiry into the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police Wally Haumaha. Audio

National has scuttled Green MP Jan Logie's hopes that Parliament would stand united in support of victims of domestic violence.

Confusion reigns in the rural business sector over how the fuel tax system, which will come into effect this Sunday, will work for them.

The Inland Revenue Department admits its computer system isn't going to cope automatically with a $60-a-week payment for new parents beginning on Sunday. Audio

The government is moving to stop the public service's over-reliance on expensive consultants and contractors, which it says will save the taxpayer millions of dollars a year.

Analysis - Parliament sat under urgency today, to debate two tax bills.

Final results from the Northcote by-election are in and one clear voting trend has emerged, more and more people are voting early.

Children's Minister Tracey Martin is signalling a shift away from putting children into care, and towards intensive intervention in a child's home.

The country's first-ever mental health prison won't be double-bunked, will have much smaller wing sizes than standard prisons and have one specialised staff member for every two prisoners.

The government's decision to opt for a smaller prison build at Waikeria shows it has no 'cohesive plan' for the justice sector, the National Party says. Audio

A small prison - rather than a mega-prison - will replace the deteriorating jail at Waikeria, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis has announced.

The government is to reveal its plans for Waikeria prison this afternoon and it's being told it must build a bigger jail, or risk public safety.