Commerce Minister Craig Foss and Revenue Minister Todd McClay have announced the launch of an integrated Employer Registration service, making it easier for newly-formed companies to communicate with Government.

Vodafone has switched on its newly built cell site at Levin South in the Horowhenua District - part of the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) - providing improved mobile coverage and broadband options for residents and visitors to the area.

A cooking course designed for older people in Canterbury has celebrated two very important milestones.

Senior Chef recently held its 100th course and hosted its 1000th participant.

"They'd want to make it a bit easier for next year, because I'd say the pros will vote not to play it. Nearly 200 balls in the water over 4 days, that's unheard of on the PGA. Yes it's a nice course but it's way too hard.

New Zealand First has welcomed the announcement of an early election date of September 20.

"And we will be ready for it," says New Zealand First leader Rt Hon Winston Peters.

"We believe the country will welcome the early election date because hope is finally within sight.

Revelations today that Australia has tried actively to frustrate New Zealand’s recent push for nuclear disarmament strike a jarring note in our trans-Tasman relations, says Labour’s Disarmament spokesperson, Maryan Street.

It’s time for political leaders to listen to the people and desist from imposing their will to force through change, says New Zealand First spokesperson for Local Government Andrew Williams.

Some of the most senior officials at football’s world governing body, FIFA, have been in Dunedin today to inspect venues for the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 tournament and give them the seal of approval.

Christchurch City Council’s first post-quake property revaluation indicates the city’s total Rating Value has risen from $75 billion to $84 billion.

Radio New Zealand has announced a significant change for the Sunday Morning programme when Wallace Chapman hosts his first show on Sunday 30th March on Radio New Zealand National.

The Government must ensure the overseas manufacturer of asbestos contaminated DL locomotives pays compensation for the fallout following KiwiRail pulling them from service, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Darien Fenton says.

By Andy McGechan, BikesportNZ

Bay of Plenty’s Kayne Lamont shot to an impressive hat-trick of wins at the third round of four in this season’s New Zealand Motocross Championships near Pukekohe.

Fish and Game’s use of an opinion poll that led respondents to the result it desired and paid for has been criticised by the Fertiliser Quality Council, (FQC).

By Ric Spooner (Chief Market Analyst, CMC Markets)

A major expansion to the physical size and layout of Waitakere Hospital’s emergency department will see it almost double in size with the addition of 19 cubicles, four new rooms and extensive new patient and whānau facilities.

Unitec Institute of Technology is delighted to welcome Concentrix, a Fortune 500 company, into the Delivery Centre on their Mt Albert Campus.

Between 300 - 400 guests including students from the University of Canterbury and CPIT, sponsors, members of the local business community and University of Canterbury senior management and staff are expected to attend the 10th entré Grand Launch this Thursday, 13th March, at 7:00pm.

With 96 entries received for the Trustpower Dunedin Community Awards, locals have really got behind their volunteers.

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is pleased to announce that Auckland Airport Ltd is to design and build it’s new head office, ambient and controlled-temperature warehousing and international air and ocean logistics facility at Auckland Airport.

Living proof of the term ‘unsung hero’ can be found in the suburbs of South Auckland, where women and their young children seek refuge from situations that force them from their family homes.