Labour, Greens, Maori Party add weight to call for inquiry into claims of abuse of children in state care.

Advance voting kicks off in the Mt Albert by-election today, but one of the main candidates is worried no one will turn up.

Former Police Association Greg O'Connor has won the Labour nomination in Ohariu.

He stayed clear of the stage, unlike his predecessor John Key who was booed off last year's event.

A new, Opposition-led inquiry into the state of aged care in New Zealand kicks off tomorrow.

COMMENT: I totally support the Greens' initiative to make te Reo Maori a core subject, along with English and maths.

Kiwi parents are paying over $300 more for a school uniform than parents in the UK - prompting calls to overhaul our uniform rules.

New figures from all 280 bus services around Auckland show the percentage of time each service arrives within five minutes of its scheduled arrival.

English says NZ First an 'unlikely' choice of governing partner, saying Nats prefer to stick to their present allies.

The Greens and some Labour MPs are calling for a national goal of making Māori language compulsory for all children in state schools.

Opportunities Party leader Gareth Morgan has announced the party will compete in the Mt Albert by-election.

Labour and the Greens say they have dropped plans to cut electoral "deals" in marginal seats,

Auckland mayoral candidate Chloe Swarbrick will challenge sitting MP Denise Roche for the right to represent the Green Party in Auckland Central.

Andrew Little and Metiria Turei attack the leadership of new Prime Minister Bill English in their state of the nation speeches.

COMMENT: The feel-good start to the year with the Greens carries risks for Labour, writes Audrey Young.

Comedian Guy Williams says his MCing of the Labour-Greens State of the Nation event was one of his best-ever gigs.

These are the high points from Labour and Greens' State of the Nation speeches this afternoon.

Prime Minister Bill English has a duty to speak out against US President Donald Trump's ban on Muslim travellers, the Green Party says.

Green MP Julie Ann Genter has publicly apologised to Laila Harre for criticising comments Harre made about her reasons for leaving the Greens in an interview.

Laila Harre has been accused of false accusations against her former Green Party colleagues by a Green Party MP, who has now backtracked.

Labour's visit to Ratana Pa today was a relatively quiet one - the fireworks instead came from Gareth Morgan.

Labour leader Andrew Little has all but ruled out forming a post-election coalition with the Maori Party or Mana Movement.

COMMENT: Politicians should not be swayed by big business and their lobbyists. Govt needs to serve the interests of the many, not the few.

Bill English's arrival this afternoon was uneventful compared to his first Ratana visit in 2002 - also the first by a National Party leader.

A landmark court ruling which allows councils to place restrictions on fishing is being challenged by the Government.

Labour and Greens dismiss fears of voter confusion as plans announced for joint state of the nation speeches.

Auckland barrister and Green Party candidate Golriz Ghahraman is hoping to be the first refugee to become an MP in New Zealand.

Resignations by MPs has been pronounced since MMP began in 1996, of both of list and constituency MPs.

A government u-turn making directors not criminally liable for running cartels ran counter to official advice.

Green MP Julie Anne Genter has been confirmed as her party's Mt Albert byelection candidate - and is promising a 'respectful' style of political contest.