Whangarei Police were involved in a long distance but low speed pursuit from Whangarei to Warkworth this morning.

Police Minister Anne Tolley has today congratulated Auckland City Police officers for their dedication to tackling and preventing crime.

Auckland Council seeks further feedback from local boards and other groups before it presents the draft smoke-free policy for approval to the Regional Development and Operations Committee (RDOC) on 24 July.

 Yesterday, the media trumpeted the Government's 2013 Budget as the first light at the end of the tunnel.

Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne today announced the make-up of the interim expert advisory committee that will help set the safety testing regime for legal highs under the incoming Psychoactive Substances Bill.

This year’s Budget has once again confirmed that National’s commitment to improving New Zealand’s awful workplace death and injury toll is hollow, says Darien Fenton, Labour’s Health and Safety spokesperson.

Queenstown-based real estate company New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty has launched a luxury rental homes division in an expansion of the services it offers in the resort town.

Police Minister Anne Tolley says Labour is continuing its campaign to mislead the public and undermine confidence in the Police.

"Our Police deserve praise for making our communities safer and for the drop in crime in each of the past three years," says Mrs Tolley.

Football fans both in New Zealand and the rest of the world will be able to watch the action from the all-important OFC Champions League Final live as defending champions Auckland City and Waitakere United fight it out for a place at the FIFA Club World Cup.

New Zealand First is disappointed at the Government sneaking through a piece of legislation, which will breach the rights of disabled adults and their family members.

"They should be ashamed of themselves," says Disability Issues spokesperson, Barbara Stewart.

Contrary to Green Party claptrap that more and better roads don’t reduce congestion, Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee today welcomed further evidence they do.

"And what’s more, private and commercial vehicle operating costs are falling along with emissions," Mr Brownlee says.

Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson today announced Budget 2013 will provide an additional $1.2 million for wilding pines control and eradication work at Mid Dome in Southland.

The 2014/15 surplus is not ‘wafer thin’, it comes from massaging from the numbers, rather than growth, Labour’s Revenue and Associate Finance Spokesperson David Cunliffe said.

Experts from New Zealand, Australia and the United States will share their knowledge about creating more inclusive places to live, work and play during New Zealand’s first-ever Universal Design Conference.

The one-day conference will take place at the Aotea Centre on 24 May.

A broad area of low pressure over the Tasman Sea will bring an extended spell of unsettled weather lasting into early next week.

Government spending increases for some services for older people will help, but do not go far enough, according to Age Concern New Zealand.

The latest surge in businesses’ electricity costs highlights the failure of the current electricity market and the need for the introduction of NZ Power to bring down electricity prices, Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today.

That the Government can find $40 million to help fund private schools but won’t spend just a third of that to feed hungry kids is nothing short of obscene, Labour's spokesperson for Children, Jacinda Ardern, says.

A 52 strong trade mission flies out to Indonesia this weekend for two weeks of intensive briefings and meetings.

Hutt Valley’s two city councils will ask residents for their views on the future of regional governance in a combined consultation beginning on Tuesday 28 May.