New Zealand First leader Winston Peters called an expansion of the SIS's surveillance powers "Nazism" in Parliament last night.

The sale of state houses poses an opportunity for iwi organisations, says new Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox.

Shane Taurima has spoken at the Maori Party conference telling them they needed to consider cutting deals to ensure their survival.

One of the Maori Party's electorate chairs has criticised the party's use of Prime Minister John Key and former Prime Minister, Dame Jenny Shipley for fundraising dinners.

Maori Party's new co-leader has already taken issue with the Parliamentary oath, voted for NZ First as Speaker and almost brought the house down.

The election of Trevor Mallard yesterday as Assistant Speaker will almost certainly take out of play one of the most recalcitrant MPs in Question Time.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell's appointment to head the newly rebranded Maori Development portfolio reflects a new focus for what used to be Maori Affairs, Prime Minister John Key says.

The Maori Party expects to have a confidence and supply deal to put to its party members next week, co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell said last night after talks with the National Party leadership.

The election success of National has weakened the bargaining power of their support parties.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says he is not ruling out extending an olive branch to Mana leader Hone Harawira - but won't say if he could work with him again.

The race for the crucial Te Tai Tokerau electorate took a dramatic turn last night when a Maori Television poll revealed the two leading candidates are neck and neck.

The two front-runners for the Waiariki seat say there are no hard feelings as they battle for the crucial electorate that could determine any Maori political gains.

Te Ururoa Flavell is campaigning at university, and it has clearly unleashed the inner teacher in him.

The Maori Party would make a warrant of fitness for all rental properties compulsory within three years if it gets into government.

David Cunliffe is sticking by his decision to rule out the Maori Party in his government, but will not say if Labour would rather go back into Opposition than back down.

Up to 25 people could see their jobs axed as Maori Television ditches its Te Kaea news show, Mana leader Hone Harawira claimed late last night.

Who came out on top in tonight's minor party leaders' debate? The Herald's top political correspondents make their picks.

Winston Peters would not state a preference for the next Prime Minister during tonight's minor leader's debate - and Colin Craig sought to use it against him.

Minor parties will almost certainly make up part of the next Government and the leaders are facing off over dinner tonight. Click here for the latest updates.

Maori Party founder Tariana Turia and former Governor-General and National Party Prime Minister Sir Keith Holyoake feature prominently as political heroes.

Teacher and mother of nine Marama Fox and former party parliamentary staffer Chis Mckenzie are leading the Maori Party's party list behind Te Ururoa Flavell.

Prime Minister John Key said abolishing the Maori seats would rip the country apart and attract "hikois from hell".

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says that Labour ruling out the Internet-Mana Party from ministerial posts shows the importance of the Maori Party sitting with the Government of the day.

Labour and the Green Party have conceded that a capital gains tax would not be a "panacea" for New Zealand's unaffordable housing crisis.