Young Epsom candidate says party bent on putting internal wrangling in past.

New Act leader Jamie Whyte says he has had no shortage of advice - it's often conflicting - about what sort of leader he should be.

In electing Jamie Whyte as the party's new leader, Act's governing board has made the right choice, writes John Armstrong. Realistically, he was the only choice.

Jamie Whyte is Act's new leader and David Seymour will be the party's candidate in Epsom at this year's election while John Boscawen has resigned as Act president.

Writer Jamie Whyte looks set to become the new Act leader tomorrow.

John Boscawen took a risk in holding the meeting, writes Audrey Young. It might have been a miserable turnout but it was a respectable 100. It could have been disrupted by enemies outside the party, or even inside but it wasn't.

Act leadership hopeful Jamie Whyte says he does not want to impose his own views about drug liberalisation on to the Act Party.

Act leadership contender John Boscawen tonight acknowledged disgraced former MP and colleague David Garrett for his three strikes legislation.

The Act board has lost control of the party leadership contest with the decision by contender John Boscawen to hold a public meeting in Epsom and to challenge other candidates to attend.

Former National Party President Michelle Boag is the latest figure on the political right to rule herself out of seeking Act's nomination to represent Epsom in this year's election.

John Key's right-hand man made a secret visit to former Act leader Rodney Hide in a desperate search to shore up a coalition partner for the National Party at this year's election.

The tussle to replace John Banks as Act's Epsom candidate is heating up ahead of the party's decision early next month.

Act Party founder Sir Roger Douglas has sounded a warning against former MP Rodney Hide returning to the party leadership.

Don Brash, the man who forced Rodney Hide out of his job as Act leader, approached him recently to urge him to return to the party leadership.

The man who took a successful private prosecution against John Banks has threatened to take one over Labour leader David Cunliffe's by-election tweet.

Ex-Act leader Rodney Hide is being courted by supporters in the party to make a comeback in Epsom to replace outgoing leader John Banks, the Herald understands.

Act Leader John Banks' decision to leave Parliament at the next election under the cloud of electoral fraud charges is not the end of the party, its president John Boscawen says.

The Act Party wants National supporters to save it from oblivion at next year's election, telling them it needs not just one, but two Parliamentary seats.

The man bringing a private prosecution against Act leader John Banks has tried to get a QC barred from court.

Budget Day is often the time for the Government support partners to cash in on the promises National made to them in return for their support.

There won't be any changes to legislation around the controversial partnership schools despite opposition parties continuing their objections to elements of the bill.

John Banks says he will defend a charge of knowingly receiving donations to his Super City mayorship campaign that were recorded as anonymous.

New Zealand's role in allowing tax havens to operate could be a significant area of concern, writes Bryce Edwards.

If you're looking for clear positions on the future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, it's no use looking to the politicians, writes Bryce Edwards.

John Key's strong public credibility is suddenly vulnerable due to the latest revelations about his role in appointing spy boss Ian Fletcher, writes Bryce Edwards.

The latest political attempts to besmirch Prime Minister John Key's reputation seem rather lame, writes Bryce Edwards.

How can a second-term government - often distracted by its own blunders - continue to poll around the record levels it was elected on, asks Bryce Edwards.

The reaction to the appointment of Susan Devoy as the new Race Relations Commissioner demonstrates NZ's sensitivity on Maori issues, writes Bryce Edwards.