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.

Tariana Turia began parliamentary life as a list MP, then winning Te Tai Hauauru, before parting with Labour in 2004 and founding the Maori Party.

Meet the Maori Party's next possible co-leader - a middle-aged mother of nine who's juggling a career and an even busier home life.

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 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.

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.

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.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says Labour's David Cunliffe may have done himself out of a chance of becoming Prime Minister by ruling out the Maori Party.

Maori Television says there will be no job losses at its news show Te Kaea and changes at the station have been put on hold.

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.

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.

Politicians come and politicians go. Some are loved, some are ridiculed, some are despised. Claire Trevett looks at two who will leave this week, respected.

Doesn't he live in France? Yes, I do. So how is he still relevant to this country?

Retiring National MP Tau Henare fondly remembers accusing the Duke of Edinburgh of not doing anything and inviting the French Prime Minister to Apec - France is not a member.

A minimum hourly wage of $18.80, free doctors' visits for those under 18, and a warrant of fitness for all rental homes are among the election pledges of the Maori Party.

This gaming of the system is not new, writes Brian Rudman. What is different this election is that instead of it being nudge-nudge, wink-wink, it's become formalised.

New Herald poll shows Internet-Mana would get two MPs, as their success eats into the Greens vote while National is still well ahead of Labour.