Jane Patterson

The spy agency watchdog has identified a number of weaknesses in a new law for the GCSB and the SIS, primarily relating to surveillance warrants.

The number of people cleared to settle in New Zealand is still likely to increase over the next year, despite tougher rules for skilled migrants, Cabinet has been told.

Anti-immigrant rhetoric has prompted the Greens to release their new, population based immigration policy.

New Zealand is working on getting enough agreement in the UN Security Council to present a resolution on Syria.

Power Play - The revelation taxpayers are paying millions to cover broken sponsorship promises will inflame angst about immigration, writes Jane Patterson.

The government is being accused of pulling a U-turn on immigration, as it moves to reduce record-high numbers of new migrants. Video

New Zealand is "highly likely" to host Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama for an official visit the week after next, says John Key.

Prime Minister John Key has confirmed New Zealand would share intelligence with Iraq in certain circumstances.

The New Zealand-chaired Security Council is calling on all countries to ensure they have the highest possible level of aviation security, because terrorists are always looking for the weak link. Video

Prime Minister John Key has delivered a speech to the United Nations ahead of the Security Council meeting on Syria he will chair tomorrow. Video, Audio

Russia and the US have a "united front" in supporting a cessation of hostilities in Syria, Australia's foreign minister says, but other countries have voiced scepticism.

The United States could lose influence to China in the Asia-Pacific region if it fails to ratify the TPP, Prime Minister John Key has warned.

Prime Minister John Key and his predecessor, Helen Clark, have met to "talk tactics" for Miss Clark's campaign to become UN Secretary-General. Video

There has been high drama surrounding the Prime Minister's trip to the United Nations in New York this week - and that was before he even arrived.

Power Play - The row over the Kermadecs is less about legislation and more about National allowing the Māori Party to save face, Jane Patterson says.

The relationship between National and its support partner, the Māori Party, is under serious strain over marine sanctuary plans and iwi fishing rights. Video, Audio

Screening of MPs emails would be "shocking" and a breach of privilege, government minister Peter Dunne says.

Parliament's Speaker is expected to report back today to an urgent request about MPs emails being monitored, and even blocked, by Parliamentary Service. Audio

The Labour Party has released some details of its internal polling, after objecting to survey results that showed it down two points to 26 percent. Video

"It was just a mass of Xs across the screen." Maree McManaway is among what the GCSB says is a growing number of cyber ransom victims in New Zealand. Audio

Power Play - Are Kiwis too lazy as the PM and some business owners say, are migrant workers exploited, and is anyone to blame, asks Jane Patterson.

An advisory group considering new education funding proposals has opposed letting schools trade teacher funding for money for other costs. Video

The latest report on income and poverty shows New Zealand's economy is on the right track, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

One in ten New Zealanders work without a written employment contract, new statistics have shown, though it is a legal requirement.

Parliament has gone into urgency to pass legislation allowing Special Housing Areas to be created for another three years.