COMMENT: John Key this week recalled the shock he felt when Simon Power privately told him he would be retiring from politics.

COMMENT: Political Editor Audrey Young gives her report card on the Education Minister, who has announced she will step down at the next election.

COMMENT: NZ First leader has been vocal about parents' strain on pension.

Nikki Kaye has earned a reputation as an individual who is driven in almost everything she does.

COMMENT: As Key has pointed out publicly, Clark's abilities are widely acknowledged; her trouble is that she doesn't have a champion among the P5.

COMMENT: With every passing week, it becomes more likely that New Zealand First will decide the next Government.

COMMENT: Helen Clark has plenty of things consider as she contemplates the next step in the contest to lead the United Nations.

COMMENT: There are many ways by which Justice Minister Amy Adams can measure success in her job.

COMMENT: In afterglow of Joe Biden's charm offensive, it is easy to forget how bad things got at the breakup of the Anzus security alliance 30 years ago.

COMMENT: If Brexit the Musical is ever staged, casting of characters won't be hard given the performances so far of leading players, writes Audrey Young.

COMMENT: John Key came prepared to his post-Cabinet press conference yesterday on foreign trusts.

COMMENT: Murray McCully believes Helen Clark had the best start possible in the first phase of her bid to become the next Secretary General of the United Nations, writes Audrey Young.

COMMENT: New Zealand has no shortage of tea-stained reports about the failures of Child Youth and Family and its hard-working, well-meaning staff.

COMMENT: Few who know Clark would doubt her ability to do the job, and the fact that Clark will be in contention is an incredible achievement, writes Audrey Young.

If you like it, vote for it. If you like the present flag better, vote for it. Don't let anything else get in the way, writes Audrey Young.

All New Zealanders are equal, but some New Zealanders are more equal than others, especially when they are living in Australia, writes Audrey Young.

There is little downside for Key in supporting Clark. She is still a highly respected and popular figure in New Zealand, writes Audrey Young.

The good news for the Government is that Hone Harawira and his friends just made its sales job a lot easier, writes Audrey Young.

Three wise men and four idiots featured in Parliament's last question time of the year.

COMMENT: Yes, she has a Machiavellian style, but that hardly disqualifies her for high political office, writes Audrey Young.

Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger says it is time to change the New Zealand flag and he hopes New Zealand has "the maturity" to do it and to look forward and not back.

John Key's programme in Hanoi yesterday reflects the complexity of the country. In the morning it was a visit to the Vin empire of Vietnam's first and only billionaire, Pham Nhat Vuong, and in the afternoon he was off to meet the communists.

Area labelling is sure to be extended in the upcoming free trade talks with the European Union, writes Audrey Young.

Labour's current deputy leader has the skills, experience and respect crucial for the next election.

Labour has been pivotal in shifting public opinion, shifting its own position last year from a pro starting point to a neutral one.

After the completion of exhaustive TPP talks in Atlanta, Trade Minister Tim Groser sounded anything but elated as he talked down the phone at 3 am.

On Tuesday the Greens showed they're working closely with Labour and on Wednesday that they will act independently of Labour if need be.

Malcolm Turnbull starts new job as Australian Prime Minister praising John Key, saying New Zealand had a leader whose style should be emulated, writes Audrey Young.

Next week is an anniversary Labour leader Andrew Little and his predecessors will remember but won't be celebrating.

Children's Commissioner Russell Wills has done the Government a huge favour with his State of Care report this week, whether he intended to or not.