How an 'acceptable nerd' became Parliament's cool kid. Jacinda Ardern talks to Kim Knight.

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

Andrew Little attacks Bill English, as he reveals his battle with prostate cancer left him determined to strive for a system fair for everyone.

Greens co-leader Metiria Turei's State of the Nation speech today focused on feminist themes.

Helen Clark's departure from the UNDP could spell the end of the 30-year political partnership with policy and political maestro known as H2.

The pressure is on Little to improve his own performance and the party's image to lift its support, writes Audrey Young.

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.

The battle to replace David Cunliffe in New Lynn could come down to the wire between local Cunliffe loyalist Greg Presland and Deborah Russell, an outsider with support from Labour's hierarchy.

Andrew Little says the US plays a vital role in world peace and world order and Trumps tweets are leading to uncertainty.

New CIA files lend weight to claims that in 1984 new PM David Lange was working on a loophole big enough for the United States to sail a non-nuclear warship through.

Labour leader Andrew Little is proposing a new solution to recover bodies in the Pike River coal mine.

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

Former police association president 'lines up perfectly' with Labour law and order policies, says Little.

Andrew Little says he needs to concentrate on the whole country, not just an electorate.

COMMENT: Former Clerk of Parliament David McGee says list MPs should not be replaced and electorate MPs should be bonded.

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

An Australian senator's call for immigration controls on Kiwis to be reviewed in response to a UN resolution on Israeli settlements is "absolutely nuts", Labour says.

The National Party's decision not to contest the Mt Albert byelection can be well understood, but that does not make it right.

Longstanding Labour MP Annette King will stand as a list-only candidate in 2017 - a step that opens up her Rongotai seat for Labour leader Andrew Little.

The Labour Party has announced a reshuffle of its caucus this morning following the departure of MPs David Shearer and Phil Goff.

COMMENT: Politics can be a nasty, thankless business, especially when you're the leader.

Labour MP Jacinda Ardern has put her hand up to stand for Labour in Mt Albert in the likely by-election prompted by incumbent David Shearer's departure.

COMMENT: The Opposition, and the Labour Party in particular, always underestimated John Key.

In his farewell speech to Parliament Shearer told how he has come full circle, retelling the mango skins story of a time that had a profound effect on him.

The very health and safety changes which the Pike River disaster prompted make re-entering the mine difficult, Prime Minister Bill English says.

COMMENT: The Labour Party was quietly thrilled after getting over the shock of John Key's resignation as PM and his endorsement of Bill English.

A joint summit on Heretaunga Plains water issues is an opportunity to start changing the way people think about water, says Green

This week a new Prime Minister will be sworn in and reshuffles will take place in both Labour and National before MPs slink off for the summer break.

New Zealand's largest private health insurer is reassuring members will get access to the latest breast cancer screening technology at no extra cost.