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.

Maori Party President Pem Bird has delivered his last speech as party President at the party's annual conference.

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell defended his Gambling Harm Reduction Bill in Parliament tonight.

Matt McCarten says John Key must feel like he's in a B-grade horror movie where his prom dates keep coming to gruesome demises.

Don't write the Maori Party off completely. Not yet, anyway.

Any suggestion of a full merger between the Maori Party and Mana remains as likely as Act merging with the Greens, writes Claire Trevett.

The likely next co-leader of the Maori Party Te Ururoa Flavell has indicated the National Party may not be the Maori Party's first choice in a kingmaker position under his leadership.

Renewal, regeneration, rebirth. No matter what you call it, no political party can escape it.

Prime Minister John Key says Pita Sharples' decision to quit as Maori Party co-leader was the right decision, while Labour says the party's time 'has passed'.

Pita Sharples will today announce his resignation as Maori Party co-leader and will quit politics next year.

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples has taken some of the blame for the party's poor by-election result, indicating it could be a catalyst in decisions over his future.

I am now thinking on the next step in this issue, writes Te Ururoa Flavell. "In particular taking aim at the racing industry, and their exemption from the current package of reforms."

It appears inevitable Labour's candidate, Meka Whaitiri, will win the seat, writes Claire Trevett. The bigger question is how the Mana and Maori parties will go against each other.

A miracle took place in Parliament this week when National turned wine into water.

Na Raihania joked that he could help John Key with his literacy if he wins the Ikaroa-Rawhiti byelection.

Over the next 18 months, expect to see Key, and David Shearer, too, hovering outside Peters' office, bottle of Scotch in hand, writes Toby Manhire.