Jane Patterson

The government is defending paying Sir Michael Cullen $1000 a day as the head of the Tax Working Group, two weeks after it delivered its final report.

Questions about tax exclusions for Māori land prompted angry exchanges between the prime minister and National's leader Simon Bridges in Parliament.

The Ombudsman is warning government departments not to use the Official Information Act as a way of dragging their feet in response to media enquiries.

There's been plenty of debate about the progress of KiwiBuild, but underpinning the programme is a commitment for the Crown to take the financial risk as an incentive to get developers on board.

The minister responsible for GCSB is disregarding statements from a senior US politician, relating to Chinese company Huawei and the potential impact on bi-lateral relations.

The opposition has already started to launch pre-emptive attacks about a potential capital gains tax, two days before the Tax Working Group reveals its final recommendations.

The Tax Working Group will reveal its long-awaited recommendations on the tax system this morning with politicians busy positioning themselves for any reference to a capital gains tax.

New Zealand's electronic spy agency has reported a 10 percent increase in cyber attacks from foreign governments, but won't name those responsible.

KiwiBuild is likely to crowd out other private house building, because the construction industry simply doesn't have enough capacity, the Reserve Bank says.

New Zealand's relationship with China has been front and centre in Parliament, with the Prime Minister admitting there are "challenges" with our major trading partner.

Health authorities say banning smoking in cars where there are children could dramatically cut the number of hospital visits every year in New Zealand.

The National Party is trying to gazump the prime minister's first big speech of the year. Video

How to minimise the impact of global economic headwinds on New Zealand was the focus of the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's first major speech of the year.

The government is pushing back against Stephen Barclay's version of events about the circumstances leading up to his resignation as head of the KiwiBuild unit.

Power Play - National knows Labour and the coalition government are vulnerable on tax which is why Simon Bridges has gone straight for the Achilles, writes Jane Patterson.

National has unveiled a new tax plan that would boost income tax thresholds every three years to keep pace with inflation.

A prospective KiwiBuild buyer has highlighted what she sees as an anomaly with the KiwiBuild criteria, preventing her and others from achieving the dream of home ownership.

Analysis - Rubbing salt in the KiwiBuild wound for Housing Minister Phil Twyford is the fact it's given Judith Collins the chance to attack him even before the political year is properly under way.

The Immigration Minister is waiting for an explanation on how crucial information was left out of a file on convicted drug dealer Karel Sroubek.

Power Play - The prime minister can look back on 2018 as year of drama, controversy and a whirlwind of policy changes - and a year ending with the coalition in a strong position. Audio

The government's advisory group on M Bovis says it's confident it's on track with the approach it's taking to eradicate the disease.

Power Play - Simon Bridges has held on to the National Party leadership as a testing year draws to a close, but how secure is his position, asks Jane Patterson. Video, Audio

A leaked email shows nearly a third of staff surveyed in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet have either been bullied or seen their colleagues subjected to bad behaviour.

Tensions in Parliament boiled over this afternoon, with the opposition leader booted out of question time for criticising the conduct of the speaker.

Public servants responsible for the transition between governments failed to support new ministers as no-one had planned for a full scale, new administration.