New Zealand First MP Richard Prosser has spoken out in defence of his "Wogistan" rant which has been slammed as racist by Muslim leaders and politicians.

Times are very tough in manufacturing. The global recession has merely contributed an additional woe to a sector whose share of economic activity has been declining for more than two decades.

More leading export companies are on the verge of moving overseas due to the high dollar, Opposition MPs were told yesterday by manufacturers.

A lot of exporters of manufactured products had been waiting for an opportunity to vent anguish over the high exchange rate, writes John Armstrong. The targets of the anger - John Key, the Reserve Bank, Steven Joyce and the Treasury - were absent.

Having NZ First back in Parliament is the major highlight and the fact that people are commenting that the Opposition certainly has a lot more steel and a lot more backbone with Winston and NZ First there.

"Is Brendan Horan going to devote his remaining time in Parliament to being a regular thorn in Winston Peters' side?" asks John Armstrong.

Horan could resign from NZ First voluntarily. He says he will not do this but, once the heat really goes on, resignation may become an attractive option, writes Richard Shaw.

Winston Peters has defended the expulsion of NZ First list MP Brendan Horan from the party.

Editorial: MP Brendon Horan is right: it is not fair. He has been investigated only by his erstwhile party leader, whose verdict is final as far as the party is concerned.

Winston Peters says he had 'no option' but to expel MP Brendan Horan, who continues to deny he has a gambling problem.

MP Brendan Horan says he has done nothing wrong and has been treated unfairly in his expulsion from NZ First's caucus, and has indicated he will face his accusers soon.

The end of Brendan Horan's association with New Zealand First has been swift.

Winston Peters yesterday cast himself in what for him are the unfamiliar roles of judge, jury and executioner, writes John Armstrong.

New Zealand First MP Brendon Horan is under investigation, for allegedly dipping into his late mother's bank account.

Industry veterans rely on selling their expertise, not hardware or software.

John Key was yesterday again on the back foot in Parliament over questions about how much he knew about the involvement of his spy agencies in the Dotcom debacle.

In our second debate on the Electoral Commission's recommendations for MMP, Graeme Edgeler and Muriel Newman put the arguments for and against reducing the threshold. Join the debate and leave your comments at the end.