When it comes to casting aspersions, few insults are as venomous, vicious or more driven by utter contempt than accusing someone of being a "scab", writes John Armstrong.

Millionaire businessman Donghua Liu has confirmed for the first time that he donated to the Labour Party.

A former Labour Party Minister who was wined and dined by Donghua Liu on a boat cruise in China has challenged the wealthy businessman to go public about donations.

It was a sign of how worried Labour leader David Cunliffe was that he took the unusual step of cancelling his plans to spend yesterday in Auckland to return to Parliament.

The National Government is denying a dirty tricks campaign against Labour Leader David Cunliffe over his letter of support for businessman Donghua Liu’s residency application.

Shane Jones says he has no regrets about quitting Parliament despite a suggestion he may have been in the prime position to take over the leadership about now.

David Cunliffe wants to know why Prime Minister John Key knew about a letter Mr Cunliffe wrote for Donghua Liu long before he was told about it.

The furore over David Cunliffe's contact with controversial Chinese businessman Donghua Liu boils down to one simple question: Can Cunliffe be trusted?

David Cunliffe has an unfortunate manner on the moral high ground. He adopts a tone of solemn, heavy-hearted condemnation befitting a preacher in hell.

David Cunliffe says he has done nothing wrong and will not resign following revelations he did write a letter on behalf of Donghua Liu - contrary to earlier denials.

A senior staff member for a Labour MP wrote a letter on behalf of wealthy businessman Donghua Liu’s residency application because he had invested $3 million.

David Cunliffe is in deep political trouble. So deep that his resignation as Labour's leader may now be very much in order, writes John Armstrong.

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.

A Labour Cabinet Minister presented a bottle of wine to the partner of businessman Donghua Liu at a fundraiser for the party.

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.

Labour says it has no record of receiving money from the businessman and National Party donor surrounded in controversy.

Yet another poll - the Herald-DigiPoll survey today - suggests National is heading for a decisive re-election in September.

There are three rules of New Zealand politics. Never criticise farmers. Never ask why cannabis is illegal and never, ever mention abortion.

New Zealand could soon have its first female Muslim politician in Parliament.

David Cunliffe may well be proud that red is the colour of socialism, writes Claire Trevett, but he can't afford a re-enactment of Thrones' Red Wedding.

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.

Editorial: David Cunliffe's announcement represented Labour finally dipping a more positive toe into education policy.

Labour is promising to abolish within 100 days of taking office the MMP coat-tail rule that enables a minor party electorate MP to bring party list mates into Parliament, writes Brian Rudman.

Editorial: Labour MP Andrew Little is right, an inquiry is needed into the police decision not to prosecute John Banks.

The rich and powerful are expert at using their dominance of the media to raise the salience in the popular mind of values that suit their interests, writes Bryan Gould.

The IPCA is evaluating complaints about the police decision not to pursue electoral fraud charges against Act MP John Banks and may launch a formal investigation.

The downfall of John Banks may have seemed the story of the week. But the feasting by the mob on what was left of his dignity was essentially a sideshow, if a rather unsavoury one, writes John Armstrong.

Taxpayer funding for National and Labour's election campaign broadcast advertising has been cut for this year's election but the Greens and NZ First will enjoy a substantial boost.