Longtime Labour MP Trevor Mallard is one of Parliament's last remaining renegades - being thrown out during question time with some regularity and remembered for his 2007 punch-up with National MP Tau Henare.

Voter support for Labour and its leader, David Shearer, has slumped in the latest Herald-DigiPoll survey which he's admitted came as 'a surprise'.

Labour desperately needs to review both how it takes the fight to National and how it should treat its would-be partners in government - the Greens and NZ First.

Labour's Trevor Mallard says United Future leader Peter Dunne should not have his funding restored even if his party re-registers.

The candidate is easy to spot - Meka Whaitiri stands on the footpath in a red duffle coat next to a bright-red people-mover with Labour signage and her name splashed over it.

The Labour argument has looked as unswerving as the windsock at Wellington airport, writes Toby Manhire.

Labour has confirmed four of its MPs were hosted in SkyCity's corporate box at Eden Park for the All Blacks versus France test last weekend.

What had Labour seething was the errant wording of a question in the 3News Reid Research poll, writes John Armstrong. The mistake may have been a simple oversight...

When Russel Norman snarls about business and profits, it repels the mainstream Labour needs if it is to get close to the 40 per cent it needs, writes John Roughan.

Mana leader Hone Harawira spat at the porridge in disgust, writes Claire Trevett. Prime Minister John Key thought the porridge was just right.

The Government is again accused of interfering to appoint a 'mate' to a top public sector job.

Ngati Kahungunu chief executive Meka Whaitiri yesterday won selection to stand for Labour in next month's Ikaroa-Rawhiti byelection to replace the late Parekura Horomia.

The New Zealand Labour Party has selected Meka Whaitiri as their candidate for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election at a hui in Taradale today.

National is facing the "notoriously difficult" task of winning a third term against an Opposition increasingly dragged to the "far left" by the Greens, says Key

TVNZ broadcaster Shane Taurima announced his bid for Labour's Ikaroa-Rawhiti byelection candidacy yesterday on Te Karere, the news programme he usually edits.

TVNZ's Shane Taurima will seek Labour's selection for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election, saying the late Parekura Horomia had approached him about standing in the past.

Behaving badly towards those who are vulnerable might be a sign you are in the most need of help, writes Deborah Hilll Cone.

The one thing alternative finance minister won't be criticising in tomorrow's Budget is the Government's confirmation that it is on track to return to surplus in 2014-15.

Labour is unlikely to countenance any attempt by its minor partner to scuttle yesterday's deal between SkyCity and National, writes John Armstrong.

Broadcaster Shane Taurima is considering a move into politics and has spoken to the Labour Party about running in the Ikaroa Rawhiti byelection next month.

Many left-wing thinkers believe we have no "agency" or ability to make conscious choices, writes Deborah Hill Cone. Until we can work this one out we are not going to make much progress with rewiring criminals.

Editorial: Naturally enough, the Government was keen to put the entire blame for what happened on "politicking" by Labour and the Greens.

The man who usually walked alongside a Labour leader on to a marae was not there this time. Instead, Labour's leader and his caucus were going on to a small marae in Tolaga Bay to farewell him.