David Cunliffe's prime ministerial credentials are still up for debate, but he was a clear hit with at least one member of the older generation on the campaign trail.

David Cunliffe would like to remain Labour leader and take the party into the 2017 election, even if the party loses at the September 20 election.

Labour has gone for the heartstrings in TV ads to be aired today while National has taken a more light-hearted approach as the on-screen political campaign begins.

In health, the election has become a bidding war focused on the new centre ground of free doctor visits.

National has boosted its Porkometer tally by almost $600 million in little more than a week with plans to spend up on schools, hospices and cycleways.

If this election was a boxing match, the referee would have stopped the fight months back given the non-stop punishment and eight counts David Cunliffe's taken.

Voters comparing social policies at this election have a clear choice: "Unrelenting focus on work" with National, or a softer line if Labour wins.

Labour has released documents it says proves its website was hacked by people working for the National Party.

There was a moment, when David Cunliffe and I were in the bush, when he looked completely Prime Ministerial. That comes, literally, down the track.

Senior Labour MP Phil Goff visited a police station in the wake of a murder to ask after a woman who was later charged with the alleged crime.

Hone Harawira sees the Internet Mana alliance enduring beyond the election because he and Laila Harre are synchronizing so well.

In the lead-up to the election, the Herald is delivering political leaders as they're meant to be seen. Under the grill.

Labour leader David Cunliffe's student-friendly promises earned him a mostly warm reception on the campaign trail.

Epsom election candidates faced off at a public debate last night, with one promising to name a convicted sex offender with name suppression under parliamentary privilege.

'Do you want to leave now?' asked the host of last night's Helensville debate of Prime Minister John Key - who came closest to being kicked out.

There were tough questions, soft questions, and sometimes no questions at all as Labour leader David Cunliffe took to the Auckland suburbs to sell the party's policies.

Next month's election is fast turning into the Spend, Spend, Spend election, with some parties making the proverbial drunken sailor look like the very model of abstemiousness in comparison.

The song that welcomed Labour leader David Cunliffe on stage at his campaign launch yesterday was Don McGlashan doing a cover of Split Enz's Time for a Change.

Labour has opened up a new front in the election, targeting older voters with a major funding injection to pay for free doctor visits for about 700,000 senior citizens.

Labour's health package, along with its recent youth employment policy, lifts its score by $1.36 billion on the Herald's Porkometer.

Labour leader David Cunliffe has announced over-65s will be added to the groups who get free doctors' visits under a major funding boost for primary health care.

Pregnant women would get free dental care, doctors' visits and prescriptions under a Labour Government in a plan to be unveiled at the party's campaign launch.

Election emails fall from time and space on to the desk of columnist Toby Manhire - who shares them with you today. What do the say about NZ politics?

Labour and the Green Party have conceded that a capital gains tax would not be a "panacea" for New Zealand's unaffordable housing crisis.

Labour Leader David Cunliffe yesterday adopted an even tougher stance on the proposed sale of the huge Lochinver Station to China's Shanghai Pengxin.

Labour's plan for a royal commission into the public service to address issues such as poor advice from officials.