Prime Minister John Key has ramped up his criticism of Kim Dotcom in the wake of the union of the internet Party and Mana Party, saying Dotcom was trying to "buy influence" .

Sue Bradford, one of Mana's founding members talks to New Zealand Herald's Adam Bennett about Hone Harawira's Mana Party signing an election year deal with Kim Dotcom's Internet Party - prompting the senior Mana member to quit.

Laila Harré brought political polish and signs of a coherent policy platform to the official announcement of her leadership of the fledgling Internet Party this afternoon.

Laila Harre will be formally announced as the leader of Kim Dotcom's Internet Party this afternoon thanks partly to the Mana Party, which had a hand in her selection.

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.

Former Alliance Party MP Laila Harré will be announced as the leader of Kim Dotcom's Internet Party tomorrow, the Herald understands.

Criticism, disbelief, and a degree of mockery sums up the response to the newly launched Internet Mana Party, writes Bryce Edwards.

Hone Harawira's Mana Party has confirmed an election year deal with Kim Dotcom's Internet Party - prompting senior Mana member Sue Bradford to quit.

Prime Minister John Key talks about fighting methamphetamine and stamping out the drug.

It's emerged former minister Maurice Williamson contacted police about a fraud case, before his intervention in another case that ultimately led to his resignation.

The fight for affordable housing could descend into a populist campaign against immigrants and foreigners, warns Bryce Edwards.

One of the first things the new MPs entering Parliament following the election will quickly learn is the necessity of growing a suit of armour, writes John Armstrong.

When it comes to searching for the inhabitants of that land otherwise described by politicians in Tolkien-sounding fashion as Middle New Zealand, you need look no further than the Hastings suburb of Mahora.

When the Prime Minister is on top of his game - as he was at yesterday's post Budget luncheon - he is world-class.

John Key and Bill English both know it is not the surplus that really matters, it is the debt they have accumulated, writes John Roughan.

Editorial: 'Cabinet club' sounds like a privileged circle of wealthy people well plugged into the Govt of the country. But does cash bring access?

The number of people having their power disconnected because they can't pay their bills is too high, Energy Minister Simon Bridges agreed today, following criticism from Labour.

National has focused its Budget on traditional Labour concerns such as education and welfare, because it needs to be seen as ideologically centrist, writes Bryce Edwards

Under the old first-past-the-post system National would romp home, but MMP neutralises such clear-cut outcomes, writes Bob Jones.

Prime Minister John Key says Thursday's Budget is a return to surplus.

John Key speaks on Shane Taurima's potential as a leader in the Labour party.

The whole nature and feel of the 2014 general election campaign has abruptly changed over the last two weeks. Policy is out, and scandal is in, writes Bryce Edwards.

Bill English's backroom team will massage every number they can find to make good on their solemn promise to tax more than they spend, writes Rob Salmond.

Screwing up in politics is forgivable and survivable, writes Rodney Hide. What is not forgivable - or survivable - is not killing the story stone dead.