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.

Cynical safety move means minister must quit if 'safe farm' death rate doesn't fall, writes Audrey Young.

Embattled Corrections Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga has scored lowest in the latest Herald report card on the Cabinet's performance - four out of 10.

With the Opposition's relentless description of the Govt's housing policy as "a fiasco", there was a chance they would be right one day, writes Audrey Young.

Herald political editor Audrey Young sets out the case for the Foreign Minister losing his job over the $11m Saudi sheep deal.

Keeping silent about axing the $1000 kickstart payment for new KiwiSaver members, isn't a broken promise, strictly speaking, writes Audrey Young.

Nobody would be shocked if Key called time if his popularity waned, given that his popularity sustains his political drive, writes Audrey Young.

"Today I’m embarrassed that John Key is Prime Minister", writes Audrey Young: "I have not felt that in the past six-and-a-bit years he had led the country."

The PM's Office has finally agreed to release transcripts from his post cabinet press conferences, and Audrey Young says it's a small, but important, victory.

Andrew Little made something of "a captain's call" on Waitangi Day when suggesting notions of greater Maori sovereignty should not be dismissed.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully wants New Zealand to be "sure-footed" from the outset when it officially begins its term on the UN Security Council tomorrow night.

Matt McCarten, the former enemy, is now seen as a calm and pragmatic influence in Labour who could play a crucial role in its resurrection, writes Audrey Young.

Little must be seen as a potential leader for all, not just narrow left-wing interests, writes Audrey Young, so the guest list was as important as the message.

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

If anybody else in Labour is thinking about putting his or her hat into the leadership contest, they should think again, writes Audrey Young.

Audrey Young writes: Sometimes it helps to see your politicians in action in order to judge whether they can be trusted.

Anything could happen between now and the election in eight weeks. That's what makes election campaigns so exciting.

The PM has a touch of the Dale Carnegie about him when it comes to international affairs. He knows how to win friends and influence people, writes Audrey Young.

Does NZ have an independent foreign policy? This week has felt a little bit Yes and No, writes Audrey Young.

The UN Security Council has not always adequately addressed some issues, says Foreign Minister Murray McCully, but it should be given time to show leadership over the Iraq crisis.

Rescuing the deal from a pitiful result is john Key's top priority for the trip, writes Audrey Young. Expecting a gold-standard deal is probably out of the question. But it could be much worse.