Latest from Claire Trevett on politics

Claire Trevett: Leadership dance crazier by the day

Labour's leadership contenders appear to think they are involved in an extreme version of the Hokey Cokey, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Labour's leadership contest is not about taking turns

Claire Trevett writes: So Labour has its leadership barbershop quartet, and although each member is singing to the same audience they are at a very different pitch.

Claire Trevett: English's plan to save the children: scrap RMA

The Prime Minister might get to choose who sits where in the Cabinet and on his front bench, but it seems National's caucus has a far more anarchic pecking order - one based on speed and punctuality just once every three years.

Claire Trevett: Key happily pillaging as Labour navel gazes

While Labour was occupied with brow-smiting and vows of silence, the PM sailed into Labour territory for a bit more pillaging, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Gamemakers wreak havoc but leaders battle on

Claire Trevett: Schoolyard one-upmanship at expense of detail

For the past month, National leader John Key and Labour leader David Cunliffe have bemoaned the focus on Dirty Politics and the lack of attention to their policies.

Claire Trevett: Winston woos with one-liners

Winston Peters harks back to a New Zealand of the 1950s and 1960s when everybody had a job and immigrants didn't take them. "We're not anti-immigration up here," he says. "Crikey! I'm half Scots."

Claire Trevett: Young voters could be key to National victory

Claire Trevett: No tabloid tactics - except in politics

Claire Trevett: Female quota a mind-bending exercise

Pity the Labour Party's moderating committee, for which the process of working out the list is akin to Archimedes' battle to peg down pi, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: NZ game of thrones - does Cunliffe dare to play?

David Cunliffe may well be proud that red is the colour of socialism, writes Claire Trevett, but he can't afford a re-enactment of Thrones' Red Wedding.

Key's Pacific visit an election entree

In Samoa this week, Prime Minister John Key indulged in a bit of harmless flattery of his counterpart, Prime Minister Tuilaepa.

Claire Trevett: Political prenup as Harawira weds sugar daddy

The union of Mana and the Internet Party is very much an arranged marriage - they checked out each other's dowries and decided they liked what they saw, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: MPs sledging, tweeting - it's just, er, cricket

At first, Mallard was a bit like a smug Artful Dodger ... then he seemed to realise he'd been done out of a soapbox.

Claire Trevett: Finally English gets his Webb Ellis Cup Budget

Whether by design or merry happenstance, Finance Minister Bill English will stand to present his maiden surplus today.

Claire Trevett: Collins soap opera gives Labour breathing space

John Key will be hoping the public has Judith Collins fatigue. It has turned into a war of infinitesimal detail, writes Claire Trevett. Details of who met whom, what was said

Claire Trevett: Labour 'moves on' with some help from National

Claire Trevett looks at a week of politics dominated by policy announcements and the resignation of Shane Jones from the Labour Party.

Claire Trevett: Labour casts net for votes, heats pan for Collins

Labour and New Zealand First yesterday mounted a pincer movement against Justice and ACC Minister Judith Collins in Parliament, writes Claire Trevett. A joint production titled "The Crusherfixion".