Alexander Gillespie says we need to know that our politicians and public officials are trustworthy. Corruption 'hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority."

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.

The campaign to crown this year's Bird of the Year has taken off, with gleeful insults flying between campaigners over the merits of their various fine feathered friends.

The latest Herald DigiPoll survey shows the Conservative Party has had a poll bump from Parliament's passing of the first reading of the gay marriage bill.

Ministers will be briefed on whether they can proceed with the planned part-sale of Mighty River Power.

The Labour Party will make a last-ditch attempt to introduce strict limits on the sale of sweetened alcoholic drinks after the Government backed down on its plan to ban high-strength alcopops.

The Govt has two weeks to decide whether to continue with plans to partially sell Mighty River Power, or postpone the move until early next year.

Increasing the minimum wage and paid parental leave to a minimum of 18 weeks are recommended in a report on how New Zealand can improve the quality of life for children.