The Health Minister has declined to re-appoint the existing Medical Council chairperson and deputy chairperson when their terms expired, despite both remaining eligible for reappointment.

Almost all of Parliament is backing the 30-year Infrastructure Plan, with the government agreeing in full to 13 of 16 recommendations and four further actions.

Doubts swirl around the US-Iran interim deal to end the war in the Middle East as shippers say it could take weeks for confidence to return after any reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and fundamental questions remained unanswered.

Pregnant women will be eligible for free maternity scans, Labour is promising, as part of its 'Medicard' scheme.

Chris Hipkins has rejected a suggestion the Labour Party has blown its first election-year policy announcement.