Labour Leader David Cunliffe has unveiled a suite of policies intended to boost forestry and wood processing

A doomed tone characterises virtually all of the political commentary about the Labour Party at the moment, writes Bryce Edwards.

Labour is set to announce a plan to get long term unemployed working in forestry when Leader David Cunliffe speaks to an industry conference in Wellington this morning.

It was disappointing to hear David Cunliffe suggesting today's Herald DigiPoll survey putting Labour at 29.5 per cent is off the mark, writes Audrey Young.

David Cunliffe says National's support will corrode over perceptions of crony capitalism - but admits there's more work for Labour to do after today's abysmal poll result.

Labour's support has sunk nearly six points and it is polling only 29.5 per cent in the Herald-DigiPoll survey.

John Armstrong looks at the most disheartening aspects of today's morale-crushing Herald-DigiPoll for Labour...and why it should hope Key hits a political banana skin pre-election.

The Greens are the first party to name their contenders for the September election, issuing a draft list which favours youthful candidates.

For a major party to win the general election on September 20, it will need, with its support parties, to secure about half of all the votes cast.

The Greens want to build up to $200m in cycle lanes and walkways around schools if they are in govt, and funding would be redirected from "low-value" projects such as the Holiday Highway north of Auckland.

New Zealanders will get a vote on a new national flag regardless of who is in the next government.

It has been announced, it is critical that state sector employers understand that their employees, "public servants", are New Zealand citizens.

Two of the Cunliffe donors have had their money refunded to preserve their anonymity - and who could blame them, writes Brian Rudman. For the small amounts, who needs the hassle.

Opponents see Key as using the flag to surreptitiously tap into the rich veins of patriotism and national identity that lurk in voters' subconscious, writes John Armstrong.

New Zealanders will vote on whether New Zealand gets a new flag during the next Parliamentary term. Mr Key said in a speech at Victoria University that the design of the current flag symbolised a colonial and post-colonial era whose time has passed.

Big rises in household power bills are largely because of higher charges from Transpower to recover the cost of recent national grid upgrades, says Prime Minister John Key. Consumers in Wellington and Auckland have recently been told by power companies, including Genesis and Meridian, of big increases in their daily fixed charges which are only partly offset by small decreases in per unit charges.

Prime Minister John Key has claimed a potential clash with the G20 Summit in Australia is behind his decision to set the election two months earlier than usual.

Prime Minister John Key has announced that this year's election will take place on September 20.

The Greens will push for legislation to lock MPs' and ministers' pay rises or even cuts to the same dollar amounts ordinary New Zealanders receive.

Dr Shane Reti will be the National Party's candidate in the safe Whangarei electorate at this year's general election.

No one could reasonably begrudge David Shearer about now were he to lean back on his chaise longue, log on to his New York bank account and let out a sigh of relief, writes Toby Manhire.

Can Labour's leader climb out of the deep, dark hole he has dug for himself and revive both his leadership and freshen Labour's electoral appeal?

If the issue of inequality and poverty is to loom large in this election year there are a couple of cherished beliefs on both sides of politics that need to surrender to evidence, writes Brian Fallow.

Conservatives leader Colin Craig has rejected Russel Norman's suggestion he's limited his defamation claim because he's afraid of what's in his emails about gay Kiwis.

Conservatives leader Colin Craig has backed down from a legal dispute about his comments on homosexuality, saying it would be too expensive and time-consuming.

Labour says it will ensure the Rena owners remove the wrecked container ship if elected to Government.

What you see with Matt McCarten is what you get. He's upfront and honest in his beliefs and approach. He is a hard-left, political head-kicker, writes Rodney Hide.

McCarten's campaign skills should help draw voters back to Labour in its metropolitan strongholds, writes John Armstrong.

Matt McCarten's appointment as Labour leader David Cunliffe's chief of staff has reawakened a longstanding rift.