Labour's popularity has jumped three percentage points in the first political poll since Andrew Little took over the leadership and the first major poll since the election.

A world-class surfing spot and one of Northland's most picturesque strands of coastline are among more than 40 swimming beaches hit with a "caution" label for water quality.

It was a year of sorrows. It was a sorry excuse of a year. It was also a year of sorries. As of yesterday, they were still flowing.

A bill which would legalise voluntary euthanasia has been dropped by Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway at the request of his leader Andrew Little.

Matt McCarten, the former enemy, is now seen as a calm and pragmatic influence in Labour who could play a crucial role in its resurrection, writes Audrey Young.

Labour leader Andrew Little has appointed Matt McCarten as his chief of staff, keeping him on after his time in the job under former leader David Cunliffe.

Parliament has just passed legislation aimed at stopping would-be foreign fighters from leaving New Zealand to join Islamic State in Iraq.

The Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill is expected to pass tonight under urgency with the support of National and Labour.

Rodney Hide writes: Prime Minister John Key likes to text. So, perhaps it would help us all if Labour and the Greens drew up a list of whom the Prime Minister can and can't text?

Labour says it has secured concessions to urgent counter-terrorism laws including a shorter period of 24 hours for warrantless surveillance of terror suspects.

Andrew Little is not setting up his Future of Work Commission to be just another dull talkfest. Its real purpose is to chip away at National's economic policy, writes John Armstrong.

It was a tale of two speeches in Auckland yesterday for the Labour Party's new leader..

Little must be seen as a potential leader for all, not just narrow left-wing interests, writes Audrey Young, so the guest list was as important as the message.

Andrew Little has unveiled plans to challenge the way the Labour Party has traditionally related to working people in his first major speech outside Parliament.

It is not hard to get a rise out of Labour's new social development spokeswoman Carmel Sepuloni: just say she is Labour's equivalent of Paula Bennett.

Claire Trevett asks, "What does it say that the very first time Cheryl Gwyn tests her powers of inquiry, John Key decides to trust the version of his pet "blogster" over her own findings?"

NZ’s spy watchdog Cheryl Gwyn is to investigate Labour MP Phil Goff’s acknowledgement he disclosed findings from her SIS report before its release.

The Opposition says the PM John Key is "in denial" over a report which backs allegations his staff used information from the SIS for a smear campaign.

Prime Minister John Key says he will not offer an apology to Labour's Phil Goff over the involvement in the OIA request by Whaleoil blogger Cam Slater to SIS head Warren Tucker.

SIS director Rebecca Kitteridge has given three apologies over the actions of the SIS in 2011 when Warren Tucker was director - to Phil Goff, Andrew Little and John Key.

A report by intelligence watchdog Cheryl Gwyn has found blogger Cameron Slater requested and published damaging material about Phil Goff from the SIS.

Normally what a new Opposition leader can do is limited by the debts he owes supporters and the need to repair the damage his challenge has done to caucus cohesion.

Labour leader Andrew Little grew up in a right-wing family and at the age of 18 he discovered his father had two earlier marriages.

Labour leader Andrew Little says his new caucus lineup is designed to give a new generation of MPs a chance to shine.

The Labour Party caucus has rarely witnessed a reshuffle as extensive as the one conducted by the party’s new leader, writes John Armstrong.

Labour says it is "sceptical" about the Government's rush to pass terror laws and the need for tougher measures around passports.

New Labour leader Andrew Little has revealed his new lineup this morning, in an announcement delayed by a fire alarm at Parliament.