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.

With 100 days to go until election day on September 20, the political parties - no doubt fibbing through clenched teeth - profess to be ready. Or close enough.

John Key says his attendance at a fundraising dinner for the Maori Party had no strings attached and did not mean a guarantee it will go with National over Labour after the 2014 election.

John Key helped the Maori Party throw a $5000-a-seat fundraiser at which diners at the event were promised the chance to "chat confidentially" with the Prime Minister.

A law change will see iwi gain control of the Maori Language Commission and the Maori broadcasting agency.

National and the Greens have been major movers in the latest One News Colmar Brunton poll, with National up six points to 51 per cent and the Greens down by five to 8 per cent.

New Zealand First would hold the balance of power if the results of the first major political poll of the year were translated to an election result.

Retired boxer David Tua met the Maori Party yesterday to discuss whether he might stand at next year's election.

On a sombre day when he viewed Nelson Mandela's body lying in state, Dr Pita Sharples also had an encounter with two superstars.

Should Chris McKenzie retain co-leader Tariana Turia's Te Tai Hauauru seat, he will become the latest in an increasingly long line of those who have made the leap from political employee to MP.

A police log the Maori Party claims shows extended surveillance of those associated with the Ruatoki raids contains nothing to be worried about, National's Tau Henare says.

The Maori Party is seeking talks with retired boxer David Tua to discuss the possibility of his standing for the party at the next election.

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples says he will represent anti-apartheid activists at Nelson Mandela's funeral.

Political strategist Chris McKenzie has been named as the Maori Party's candidate for the Te Tai Hauauru electorate.

Labour's Shane Jones says Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell should "put up or shut up" over Operation Eight and Ruatoki raids documents.

The Maori Party says it has a number of capable women who can replace departing co-leader Tariana Turia and it's not worried about the absence of a high-profile candidate.

In his slightly tearful acceptance speech as the Maori Party's new co-leader, Te Ururoa Flavell spoke of his previous role as the party's official dishwasher.