Craig McCulloch

Education officials have warned their ministers that students are "falling through the cracks" because the curriculum does not clearly signal when they need more support.

About 3000 requests for emergency housing were rejected by the government last year, nearly triple the number the year before. Audio

Cabinet ministers have convened a special virtual meeting this afternoon to discuss the trans-Tasman bubble, including a potential pause of the entire arrangement.

The ACT Party wants to strip some gang members of their freedoms, introducing "gang injunction orders" which could ban them from certain areas or activities.

Foreign policy watchers have high hopes for tonight's "extraordinary" APEC meeting which will bring together the globe's heavy-hitters to discuss the Covid-19 crisis.

MBIE confirms the government rejected "numerous proposals" to custom-build quarantine facilities, but ministers insist the idea is being genuinely considered.

The Chinese embassy has hit back at claims spies are infiltrating universities in New Zealand, calling the accusations groundless and "pure hearsay". Audio

National Party leader Judith Collins says it is up to her caucus whether her predecessor Todd Muller remains in Parliament for another two years.

Tourism and hospitality operators have let out for a cry for help as the trans-Tasman bubble pause dashes hopes of a winter visitor influx. Audio

Labour and National are refusing to comment on reports that say they orchestrated the resignations of two Chinese MPs last year due to security concerns.

Beneficiaries will reap the rewards of this year's Budget with a welfare boost billed as the "biggest in a generation".

The government is dampening down expectations of any major new housing measures in tomorrow's Budget, saying it announced most of its plan in March.

National MPs are backing their leader Judith Collins following last night's dire political poll and have endorsed her persistent claims that the government is pursuing a "separatist" agenda.

The six people charged by the Serious Fraud Office over a donation made to the Labour Party are accused of trying to conceal the true identity of the donor.

The ACT party has laid out its alternative vision ahead of next week's Budget, proposing to slash spending by $11.2 billion to both reduce debt and cut taxes.

A Ministry of Health document leaked to RNZ shows officials will not even consider extending an amnesty to allow all chronically sick people to use illicit cannabis.

Senior Labour MP Chris Hipkins has denounced the unruly scenes in Parliament last night, saying they did not reflect well on anyone involved.

The Green Party is urging the government to keep rent control on the table, as many renters find themselves stretched to their financial limit.

Northland has been singled out as the worst performing district health board when it comes to the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out, falling short of its target by almost 4000 doses.

National is considering setting fixed rules for future leadership bids with more constraints around its MPs to ensure a "fair process" and "acceptable result".

New Zealand is not rejigging its Covid-19 immunisation programme despite predictions people will need a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine within 12 months.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has conceded her language was "a bit blunt" when she called an MIQ guard a liar, but maintains he and his employer bear some responsibility for the latest testing…

Health Minister Andrew Little has shot down calls for a swift overhaul of drug laws, saying any major change would first have to go back to a referendum.

Cabinet ministers have been sitting on advice regarding a nationwide vaccination schedule for weeks, but have yet to finalise or publish a complete plan.

Immigration New Zealand is standing by its decision to grant a visa to the partner of Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March and says the application was treated "like any other".