Clark to study in US on Eisenhower Fellowship

Dunedin North MP David Clark has been awarded an Eisenhower Fellowship to study in the United States. He will take a leave of absence from Parliament from March to May next year. He will study constitutional reform and the encouragement of democratic participation.

He hopes to meet US Chief Justice John Roberts, economist Joseph Stiglitz, former Treasury special adviser Elizabeth Warren and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Hutt City Council granted power to clean up town

A bill giving Hutt City Council greater powers to remove graffiti on private property has passed into law. The Hutt City Council (Graffiti Removal) Bill, sponsored by Labour and Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard, passed its third reading unanimously.

"Often the people who do this are frankly sneaky little bastards, and too often they aren't caught," Mr Mallard told Parliament. Under current law the council must get consent from owners to clean up tagging.

Kiwis who served in Syria to get war allowances

The six New Zealand Defence Force personnel who served in Syria earlier this year will be eligible for war pensions and allowances after a declaration yesterday. Veterans' Affairs Minister Nathan Guy said no injuries had been reported by the soldiers, who were on a UN mission.

But the change meant they would be covered for future illness or conditions relating to their service. Mr Guy said he was working to determine eligibility more quickly.

Key making first visit to Chatham Islands

As electoral visits go, it's pretty far-flung. Prime Minister John Key will make his first visit to the Chatham Islands today. Accompanied by Attorney-General Chris Finlayson and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia, he will spend almost a day on the islands.

However, locals hoping for news on an upgrade of their crumbling wharf will be disappointed. It's understood the delegation is there to make an announcement on housing.

- © Fairfax NZ News