Otago Daily Times: Political News

Prime Minister John Key does not believe Parliament's hours should be reduced to make it more "family friendly", saying having children while in Parliament was "challenging but do-able" and it was up to each party to ensure nursing mothers had the support and time out needed.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully met US Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington early today (NZ time) and most of their meeting was spent discussing the Middle East.

Political parties are rushing to begin their respective campaigns on deepwater oil and gas exploration around New Zealand as the latest round of offshore oil and gas block tenders opens on May 24.

TVNZ's Shane Taurima has confirmed he will seek Labour's selection for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election, saying the late Parekura Horomia had approached him about standing in the past and he was now ready to "return home."