1The National Party is stepping in to help out the leader of another of its support parties, United Future, this time in the Wellington seat of Ohariu. Peter Dunn wants them to campaign for the party vote only, as they are doing in Epsom. However the National party candidate says she will still campaign hard.

2The chief executive of the Pike River coal company Peter Whittall has rejected a claim that the company put men and resources into developing a coal face instead of a second exit. He is being questioned at the Royal Commission into the mine disaster last November.

3With the first phase of the inquiry finishing today, Bernie Monk - a spokesperson for the families of the 29 men - says a lot more information has come to light than he expected

4The Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, is rejecting a call to review the rules for private hire cars saying existing laws are enough to deter taxi companies from falsely claiming to be private operators, to avoid new security regulations

5The Prime Minister, John Key, will meet with the US president, Barack Obama, at the White House in the early hours of tomorrow morning. This is after two-days of top level talks in Washington.

6Business News

7Senior Government Ministers have expressed their sadness at the death of Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan who passed away on Wednesday. She was a former senior Labour cabinet minister, and a pioneer for Maori women.

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9There's relief for about 40-thousand homeowners in Canterbury, who today have been told they won't have to abandon their quake-damaged properties. There are around 40-thousand properties which will go from being in a white zone to a green zone.

10United Future is pushing for a flexible retirement age, with retirees deciding when they would take pension payments, from the age of 60.

11Volunteer fire fighters say their ability to do their job could be compromised if their professional colleagues strike for a prolonged period, as the paid fire fighters have rejected a 2.5%-pay offer.

12Manu Korihi News, including; The Labour MP Parekura Horomia has paid tribute to the former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister, Whetu Tirikatene Sullivan who has died at the age of 79. The biggest tribe in the country is deadlocked over how to handle its massive treaty claim and appears to be headed for the High Court. A former head of the Tainui-Waikato Parliament says a meeting today between King Tuheitia and the dissident Fiji colonel, Tevita Mara - was held out of respect

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14The Prime Minister John Key says the high value of the New Zealand dollar is threatening to dampen economic growth as it hits a post float high of 86.4cents against the greenback earlier today. But the dollar rate reflects the high commodity prices being achieved.

15The Education Minister's attempts to paint early childhood education funding in a good light, have fallen on stony ground at the New Zealand Child Care Association conference in Rotorua today.

16Business News, including; The listed shower and tapware designer, Methven, is forecasting to nearly double its profit this financial year, by cutting its product range and making its internal operations more efficient.

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18Focus on Politics: Chris Bramwell looks at what the arrival of the Mana Party means for the political landscape. So far Hone Harawira has made an inappropriate affirmation to parliament and Speaker, Lockwood Smith has sent him away to do it again.

19Manu Korihi News, including; Ngapuhi hapu are threatening legal action, if mandating hui are held to settle their treaty claims; The whanau of the late Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan has announced there'll be a memorial service to honour her, in Wellington next month; A former head of the Tainui-Waikato Parliament has dismissed suggestions that a meeting between King Tuheitia and the dissident Fiji colonel, Tevita Mara could politicise the Kingitanga

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