NZPA

After 18 months, the Government's much-debated foreshore and seabed legislation was yesterday passed by Parliament, with the Government saying that all it did was preserve the status quo.

The Act Party's Epsom seat hopeful John Banks has dramatically shot down his leader Don Brash's views on decriminalising cannabis, saying it will never become party policy.

Long-time NZPA journalist and former editor Max Lambert files his last report for the national news agency.

Lock Micheal Luck will look forward to welcoming back an old mate when the New Zealand Warriors and fellow National Rugby League finals-bound North Queensland do battle in Auckland on Saturday night.

Young Auckland all-rounder Jimmy Neesham will play his cricket in Otago this summer in the hope of getting more regular game time at provincial level.

New Zealander Hayden Paddon knows he will have to counter local knowledge as he looks to wrap up the production world rally championship (PWRC) in Australia.

Five young players from the Otahuhu Rugby Club in Auckland have been banned for life after an assault on a referee earlier this month.

New Zealand's next Governor-General has been sworn in at Parliament with a royal guard of honour and a 21-gun salute.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a home invasion and attempted sexual assault in Dannevirke, during which a woman was bashed on the head with a shovel.

Supermarket chain Foodstuffs has asked toilet paper maker Cottonsoft to back up its environmental credentials, amid accusations its uses tropical rainforest timber in toilet paper sold here.