Stories by Craig McCulloch

The government has no plans to cut off its relationship with top law firm Russell McVeagh in light of recent revelations of sexual assault complaints.

Ministry executives have faced questions over whether it's appropriate to keep using top law firm Russell McVeagh given recent revelations of sexual assault complaints.

New Zealand First MP Shane Jones has ruled out taking a tilt for the party's deputy leadership position, saying he has enough on his plate.

State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes has defended the office's million-dollar makeover as "value for money".

National MPs will vote next week on whether Paula Bennett should stay on as deputy alongside their new leader.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has sent a clear signal to her ministers not to have sex with their staff, but won't go as far as Australia in explicitly banning such behaviour.

New Zealand's spy agency has joined widespread condemnation of the NotPetya attack.

The government is softening the penalty for students who try to rort the fees-free tertiary study scheme, but it says it will make it easier to punish lawbreakers. Audio

The race to find a new leader for the National Party is underway with MPs expected to declare their intentions in the coming days.

A report into the state of housing in New Zealand paints a "sobering picture" of the crisis and its effects, particularly on children, Housing Minister Phil Twyford says.

National leader Bill English says he's "not surprised" his MPs have rallied behind him at the party's annual caucus retreat, insisting questions of his support are "not an issue".

The National Party has - for the first time - invited a handful of its list candidates next in line to join Parliament to its annual caucus retreat.

National MPs are heading into a two day caucus retreat about a week after a sudden burst of leadership speculation.

MPs are to vote on whether to ramp up the punishment for people who sell synthetic substances, sometimes referred to as synthetic cannabis.

National Party leader Bill English says he'd be very surprised if any of his MPs raised concerns about the leadership at the party's caucus retreat next week.

The government legislation puts New Zealand among countries such as Rwanda and Uganda when it comes to democracy, the National Party says. Audio

MPs will vote this afternoon on the government's plan to make medicinal cannabis more widely available.

The Green Party will hold a streamlined race for a new female co-leader with the winner to be named in early April.

The fees-free study scheme is vulnerable to students rorting the system due to a gap in the government's records, Treasury officials warn.

The prime minister has been welcomed at Rātana for the church's annual festivities. Video

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be welcomed at Rātana this morning for the church's annual festivities.

Scrapping a sanction against some solo mums will cost more than $100 million over four years and could result in fewer parents paying child support, ministry officials say.

A rights watchdog has called on police to stop a new cold-calling strategy designed to prevent burglaries, saying it's "creepy".

The National Party is launching petitions for support of major highway projects, but the government argues they were National campaign promises that were never costed.

The government should compensate a murderer who was unlawfully held in solitary confinement, says the UN. Audio