What many were predicting would be a one-horse race for one of the biggest political prizes in the land, could at last come alive, writes Brian Rudman.

Eight men accused of an alleged Auckland Super City voter scam have had their trial shifted to the High Court.

No Western government is going to condemn the country's rulers, writes Gwynne Dyer. That would seriously annoy Saudi Arabia, and they will never do that.

Democracy is the best form of government but it relies on high participation and eternal vigilance over its health, writes Steve Liddle. At least, this is what most of us learn from parents or teachers.

I was surprised to read in Deborah Coddington's recent Herald column that the Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand's founding document. Of course some New Zealanders mistakenly believe that is the case.

As John Key wraps up an important Burma visit, he talks to Herald Political Editor Audrey Young about what he's learned and seen.

It is very much to Labour's credit that it has put in place a more democratic set of internal rules, writes Bryan Gould, and "that the outbreak of democracy now applies to the election of the leader."

To liken Labour's capacity for damaging itself to that of lemmings might seem unkind to lemmings, writes John Armstrong.

The GCSB and Police are far from off the hook, writes Bryce Edwards. "The Police, in particular are facing the heat over the question of whether they lied in court."

The current farce over Kim Dotcom is likely to erode the public's confidence in government, politicians, the police, officials - the whole Establishment, writes Bryce Edwards

John Banks may not get the sack as a minister but even the Prime Minister isn't going to go out of his way to defend him any more than he has to, writes Bryce Edwards.

Alexander Gillespie says we need to know that our politicians and public officials are trustworthy. Corruption 'hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority."

In our second debate on the Electoral Commission's recommendations for MMP, Graeme Edgeler and Muriel Newman put the arguments for and against reducing the threshold. Join the debate and leave your comments at the end.

One year after the start of global anti-capitalist protests, Laurie Penny talks to those still camping out.