Right now, it feels as if the political gods are bored with the widely-held assumption that National will cruise to victory in September's election, writes John Armstrong.

To understand the demise of Judith Collins, it helps to understand what a powerful role she has carved out for herself in the National Party.

In the run up to the election, Otago University politics lecturer Dr Bryce Edwards is hosting a series of live interviews on political issues. Minister for Immigration Michael Woodhouse is in the studio today for the Vote Chat.

Kim Dotcom's fledgling Internet Party has begun fleshing out its policy platform, setting a target of having 100 per cent of the country's electricity supply coming from renewable sources within ten years.

Minister for Immigration Michael Woodhouse in a live interview with Otago University politics lecturer Dr Bryce Edwards.

'Do not go there'. That was the warning given by Prime Minister John Key to Labour MP Chris Hipkins in response to no fewer than four questions from the Opposition over allegations of impropriety in what is increasingly being dubbed 'cash for access'.

The Green Party is challenging the PM to reveal how much his party made from 53 "Cabinet Club" meetings at which attendees paid thousands of dollars to meet him.

Prime Minister John Key has announced that beneficiaries outside of Christchurch will be given a $3000 incentive to take up full-time work in Christchurch. Up to 1000 beneficiaries will be given a one-off payment of $3000 each if they have a fulltime job offer in Christchurch and are willing to move there.

Embattled Justice Minister Judith Collins fronts up to Parliament's Question Time over her Oravida conflict of interest affair.

In an election year, it can be easy for the big issues, such as health, to become just political footballs, writes Ian McPherson.

If Judith Collins is any indication of the health of the Government, it is in serious trouble, writes Bryce Edwards. Her bizarre actions at the weekend made her appear arrogant and out of control and suggest the pressure is taking its toll.

Labour is still facing delays in selecting its candidate in the key Tamaki Makaurau seat as a result of broadcaster and potential candidate Shane Taurima's TVNZ problems.

Prime Minister John Key laid out the welcome mat for foreigners yesterday and said it was a point of contrast between National and other parties.

The National Government is leaving nothing to chance in its bid to be re-elected. National executed a screeching u-turn on legal highs and locked in the drug dealer vote.

Vote Chat is a series of public interviews of politicians, candidates and commentators brought to you by the University of Otago Politics Department. In this chat Conservative Party leader Colin Craig is interviewed by Dr Bryce Edwards.

Labour leader David Cunliffe’s incorrect claim that his grandfather won a Military Medal was the result of a family mix-up, his office says.

Shane Jones has become a lightning rod for the discussion about the state of the Labour Party, and about what it means to be leftwing in 2014, writes Bryce Edwards.

Editorial: Kelvin Davis is the pawn in one of the most vexed strategic decisions facing David Cunliffe and the Labour Party strategists this election.

The Maori vote will be crucial at this year's election, writes Deborah Mahuta-Coyle.

The Labour list MP, Jacinda Ardern, is one of the few politicians who lets you go to her house and what's more, she lets you have a good nosy around.

Editorial: When a senior MP walks out of his party four months before a general election, he makes it obvious he does not like its chances.

Labour says it will scrap a requirement for war veterans to be disabled before they receive a special pension if it gains power, a move already rejected by the Government because it would cost too much.

National's audacious poaching of Shane Jones could be seen as a cynical ploy to undermine the electoral chances of the Opposition, writes Bryce Edwards.

More than 2000 families will return home this Easter to find they have been burgled, and Act says it is the only party to offer a serious policy on the problem.

Retiring Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia has hit out Labour, saying it doesn't deserve the Maori vote, but MP Shane Jones says her comments are 'cheap shots'.

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig's family has succeeded in having electorate boundaries redrawn to get his parents and about 120 neighbouring voters shifted into the seat he hopes to win.

Snobbery and a false rumour that a boundary change would take some homes out of the Auckland Grammar zone and affect property values are believed to be factors in the strong opposition.