Australia's Labor Party leader Bill Shorten says it is not inappropriate for him to visit NZ so close to an election, but still managed to get the PM's name wrong.

Labour has opened the final day of its annual conference, with Party President Moira Coatsworth telling the delegates Labour expected the election to go “down to the wire.”

Labour has unveiled its campaign slogan for the 2014 election will be "Vote Positive."

Labour's new teaching policies are response to National's proposal to pay good teachers and principals more and require them to work with others.

In 1898 New Zealand was favoured with a visit from Sydney and Beatrice Webb. This English couple were early members of the Fabian Society, a progressive political movement that was an important driver in the formation of the British Labour Party.

The Australian Labor Party leader said he believes improvements can be made to the rights of NZers living in Australia, but stopped short of making any specific commitments.

The true donations scandal in New Zealand politics was reported this week without comment. It's the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union's $60,000 donation to Labour.

Labour leader David Cunliffe has all but ruled out including Internet Party leader Laila Harre and Mana leader Hone Harawira as ministers under a future Labour Government.

Labour leader David Cunliffe says Labour will ensure all school children from Year 5 to 13 have their own personal tablet or netbook by 2017 under a plan estimated to cost $109 million over three years.

Most Labour voters prefer the Green Party to NZ First if Labour only needs one of them after the election.

The top 10 unknown facts about Labour leader David Cunliffe, including his links to King Dick Seddon and the Brunner mine disaster.

Labour will kick off its election year Congress today by promising an upgrade programme for ageing school buildings to ensure all schools have modern facilities by 2030.

For each general election since 2008, the Herald has undertaken an in-depth project on the person challenging to be Prime Minister.

Labour's grant of an extra $100 a year for each pupil for state-funded schools will probably succeed in ending charges for all but the richest schools and that would be a pity, writes John Roughan.

Labour leader David Cunliffe says he’s sorry that he’s a man because men commit most family violence but Prime Minister John Key says the comment is 'silly'.

Politics columnist Toby Manhire leaks his version of the secret emails between the top players in Team Key.

I bet Labour wishes it wasn't an election year, writes Mike Hosking.

Labour's plan to help struggling parents by tackling school donations is a political ploy- but at least it recognises the 'voluntary' nonsense, one principal says.

If the Budget Bill English delivered in May was fiscally responsible and appropriately countercyclical.

Labour wants to end "voluntary" school donations by offering a grants of $100 per student to schools that stop asking parents to fund "day to day" spending.

The Government is hoping to pass home affordability legislation to limit council charges on developers in the eight sitting days left before the election.

David Cunliffe says Trevor Mallard's plan to resurrect and reintroduce the moa to Lower Hutt is "not going to fly".

The Labour and Green party coffers will receive a $120,000 boost for the election from unions that are also hoping to mobilise thousands of members to push for a change of Government.

Wages have only gone up $34.53 annually against house prices, which are up by $38,000, according to a new report. Which regions fared the worst?

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union has donated $60,000 to the Labour Party and $15,000 to the Green Party, the union announced this morning.

Labour wants to end the dislocation of Pacific Island families who are split apart for years by New Zealand's immigration rules.

The roading announcement was also part of a wider strategy to convince voters that the Greens will be the driving force of any post-election coalition, writes John Armstrong.

Not so much your typical party conference; more a group-hug exercise in exorcising evil spirits.