The latest opinion poll shows National still leading Labour by more than 20 points. The New Zealand Morgan poll released tonight has National on 52 percent support, up half a point since last month, and Labour on 31 percent, also up half a point. The gap is 21 points, which is in line with other recent polls. Of the minor parties, New Zealand First has made the biggest gain with 6.5 percent support, an increase of 2.5 points since last month and its highest level since September 2006.... more>

POLITICS: Fifteen years ago Winston Peter’s political vehicle New Zealand First was launched and tomorrow its members gather for their annual conference at the party’s birthplace -- Alexandra Park in Auckland. While Mr Peters and his faithful followers will mainly be celebrating his achievements in office, some will be worrying about the state of the polls. Most polls have NZ First below the 5 percent support mark. This means to get back into Parliament the party will need to... more>

OBITUARY: Former Police Commissioner Bob Walton, 86, died peacefully at his home in Wellington last night. Police Commissioner Howard Broad said Mr Walton saw policing through a tumultuous time during his tenure from 1978 to 1983, which included the occupation of Bastion Point and the 1981 Springbok Tour. Police intelligence played a vital role during the Springbok tour and this was a trademark of Mr Walton’s career. In 1963, as a detective inspector, Mr Walton was a leading member... more>

VEITCH: Broadcaster Tony Veitch resigned from TVNZ and The Radio Network today, after an outcry over revelations he assaulted his former partner. He will be paid out three months’ notice at TVNZ and one month at The Radio Network. Both employers paid tribute to Veitch’s talent as a broadcaster and sought to put the matter behind them, while the National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges said Veitch’s position had become untenable and he was wise to resign.... more>

NAVY: The cramped Navy Museum next to Devonport Navy Base is gearing up for a move to a new site at one of the most historic bays on Auckland’s North Shore. The navy plans to move the museum to Torpedo Bay, which is overlooked by North Head. Torpedo Bay is where the Tainui immigration canoe landed about 1350 and where the coal-fired navy steam spar torpedo boats were housed in the late 1800s. It was also the bay where French explorer Dumont D’Urville landed in 1827. Two... more>

TRANS-TASMAN RELATIONS: Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Australia’s Treasurer Wayne Swan said today their governments had similar policies to combat climate change. Mr Swan said there was a basis for the New Zealand and Australian governments to work together and he was confident they would. The Australian Government yesterday released its draft policy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and Mr Swan said it was similar in many ways to New Zealand’s emissions trading... more>

ACC: Prime Minister Helen Clark has condemned National’s ACC policy but the business sector is supporting the party’s commitment to open it up to competition from private insurers. Party leader John Key announced the policy yesterday, saying a National-led government would improve the scheme and make workplaces safer. He said opening the Workers Account to competition would be "investigated" and decisions would only be made after careful evaluation of the benefits offered, but... more>

OLYMPICS: New Zealand Olympic team management are confident athletes will not use the Beijing Games as a forum for political protest, given they risk being sent home from China. New Zealand’s competitors have been warned they risk expulsion should they use the medal podium, competition venues and athletes village for any form of protest about Chinese rule in neighbouring Tibet. Team members have signed an agreement encompassing issues such as political statements and their general... more>

PILGRIMS: Despite a meeting today between Indian leaders and the Immigration Service, 39 Indian pilgrims are still lying low. New Zealand officials and Indian leaders met in Auckland this afternoon as part of efforts to locate the 39 men, part of a group of 220, who went missing in New Zealand en route to the Pope’s World Youth Day celebrations in Australia. The department was also liaising with the Indian High Commission on the matter, and with networks within the Indian community.... more>

JACKSON: It may not be only movie maker Peter Jackson’s King Kong who has a head for heights in New York -- the movie magnate himself is believed to have bought a $23 million penthouse in Manhattan. Under the headline One Penthouse Duplex to Rule Them All, the New York Observer today reported that the names of Jackson’s staff appeared in records tracking the purchase. "The filmmaker’s executive assistant Matthew Dravitzki, his New Zealand-based attorney Michael Stephens... more>