The most senior Crown lawyer in the country maintains that while Kim Dotcom's evidence against John Banks has changed since the first trial, the story remains the same in one crucial respect.

But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? Is it the dawn of a new Rodney Hide, Perkbuster Extraordinaire?

More charter schools will be opened next year if Act Party leader David Seymour's "quiet confidence" is warranted.

Peter Dunne says he would look at revisiting his post-election concessions from the National Party if New Zealand First leader Winston Peters wins the Northland byelection.

Rarely has a political party conference been treated to a speech as brutally frank, writes John Armstrong.

Act is calling on other parties to allow the public to determine the future of New Zealand's taxpayer-funded superannuation scheme through a series of referendums.

From start to finish, it took David Seymour a good nine years to put together his treasured replica Lotus Seven sports car.

The election of Trevor Mallard yesterday as Assistant Speaker will almost certainly take out of play one of the most recalcitrant MPs in Question Time.

Nearly two-thirds of National supporters voted for the Act Party's David Seymour in Epsom, newly released election data shows.

Prime Minister John Key signed two insurance agreements yesterday in the form of confidence and supply deals with Act and United Future.

Act's 32-year-old sole MP and parliamentary newcomer could be up for a salary of $226,300 and a sizeable package of funding if the PM gives him a ministerial portfolio.

Voters in the suburbs of Remuera and Parnell were the key to the Act Party's survival, figures from polling booths show.

Act's sole MP David Seymour will meet John Key at Parliament today with a wishlist for a confidence and supply agreement, including for him to become a minister.

Jamie Whyte has conceded his future as the Act Party's leader outside of Parliament is uncertain and says the party's brand is "tarnished".

Act has pounced on the Conservative Party's admission that it has not fully costed its policies, claiming that leader Colin Craig is making it up as he goes along.

Labour's finance spokesman David Parker this morning jibed that Act-held Epsom should be used to trial that party's policy of abolishing the Resource Management Act.

The Act Party would seek to abolish the Overseas Investment Office and the Resource Management Management Act if it became part of the next government.

Prime Minister John Key slotted in his first campaign visit to the Epsom electorate yesterday and found not everybody was willing to go along with his instructions to vote for Act's David Seymour.

Despite the lack of a beverage-based endorsement, the true-blue seat of Epsom remains dogged by controversy this election.

Education Minister Hekia Parata is in negotiation in the hope of opening more charter schools next year, possibly allowing tertiary institutions to run them.

Act Party leader Dr Jamie Whyte said the party wants to see Youth Court and Family Court open to public scrutiny.

United Future leader Peter Dunne is confident his "flexi-super" proposal would be advanced in any third term National Government without compromising John Key's promises on superannuation.

Act leader Jamie Whyte says Christine Rankin's entry into the Epsom election contest will have no impact because her Conservative party appeals to simple-minded voters, not educated Epsom voters.

Epsom election candidates faced off at a public debate last night, with one promising to name a convicted sex offender with name suppression under parliamentary privilege.