President Clinton's nominations for Secretary of State and Defence Secretary are most welcome, caretaker Foreign Minister Don McKinnon said today.

Foreign Minister Don McKinnon today announced 16 training and business grants to support private sector development in the Pacific Islands.

The World Trade Organisation Ministerial meeting offers New Zealand and other APEC members the opportunity to demonstrate how regional arrangements and the global trading system can work together,

Foreign Minister Don McKinnon today announced 16 training and business grants to support private sector development in the Pacific Islands.

Foreign Minister Don McKinnon today announced a grant of $350,000 to the New Zealand Red Cross to support the cost of sending New Zealanders to work in relief operations overseas.

"These people are highly dedicated New Zealanders prepared to work in often dangerous and difficult conditions, saving and improving the lives of some of the world's most vulnerable people", Mr McKinnon said.

"The increased government support reflects the value we place on the Red Cross role in emergencies", Mr McKinnon said.

Foreign Minister Don McKinnon reinforced New Zealand's strong opposition to Japan's "scientific whaling" programme in recent talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Ikeda.

Deputy Prime Minister Don McKinnon today released the design for Parliaments new Ministerial Building, with construction due to start by April next year.

The Government is to make an immediate grant of $200 000 in emergency funds for use in Eastern Zaire.

Foreign Minister Don McKinnon said he very much regretted Australia failed to win a Security Council seat during the elections in New York this morning.

New Zealanders visiting the Czech Republic will no longer need a visa following the Czech Governments announcement of a visa waiver arrangement today.

The assassination of Premier Theodore Miriung has been described by Foreign Minister Don McKinnon as a major blow to hopes for peace on Bougainville.

Children will be among the main beneficiaries of a $150,000 assistance package for typhoon victims in Viet Nam and Laos announced today by Foreign Minister Don McKinnon.

The Brazilian Governments announcement that it is to open its first Embassy in New Zealand has been warmly welcomed by Foreign Minister Don McKinnon.

Acting Police Minister Don McKinnon said the vicious assault on two Levin police officers is utterly abhorrent.

The reversal of a recent decision to ban the Crown from Waitangi Day commemorations in the Far North has been welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Don McKinnon.

Foreign Minister Don McKinnon has confirmed tonight the ten New Zealanders assigned to the United Nations Special Commission on Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction (UNSCOM) were safe and well in Bagd

Career diplomat Peter Hamilton is to be New Zealands next High Commissioner to Western Samoa, Foreign Minister Don McKinnon announced today.

New Zealand has gained exemptions for its sheepmeat and goat products from new United Kingdom and French measures against BSE (Mad Cow Disease) and scrapie.

Acting Minister for Trade Negotiations, Don McKinnon, and Minister of Agriculture, Dr Lockwood Smith say theyre delighted at the news.

The decision to exempt New Zealand sheepmeat is very welcome news for the New Zealand industry, Mr McKinnon said.

New Zealand and the Cook Island people have a unique and special relationship which both are deeply committed to.

Foreign Minister Don McKinnon has said he would not advise New Zealanders to travel to Iraq at the present given the situation in the north.