COMMENT: National MPs should think twice before automatically anointing as prime minister a member of Key's kitchen cabinet, Fran O'Sullivan writes.

Leadership contests are usually damaging for political parties - but National's will be mercifully brief, writes Audrey Young.

It was the first time in Parliament since PM John Key announced he was going and Labour's front bench was a 10-metre-wide grin of schadenfreude.

National MP Nikki Kaye has returned to Parliament for the first time since her cancer diagnosis, confirming she will stand again in Auckland Central.

COMMENT: Having ticked all the boxes John Key leaves at the peak of his popularity and powers. It doesn't get any more impressive than that.

The cohesive National Party caucus that John Key has led for 10 years is about to start fraying as members grapple with how to replace him as PM.

COMMENT: If there were family reasons for John Key's decision to stand down, they were surely the demands of his art-school daughter or YouTube son.

Key says there is no secret scandal behind his decision to resign, saying he wanted to rewrite the rule book on leadership departures and do so on his own terms.

John Key's bombshell announcement yesterday has thrown New Zealand politics into turmoil.

COMMENT: Winning that elusive fourth term in office has just become much harder, writes Newstalk ZB's political editor Barry Soper.

His body language suggested he was speaking honestly, an expert says.

Bill English is staying silent on whether he wants to be New Zealand's next Prime Minister and Judith Collins has not ruled out a bid to replace Key.

Leader of the Opposition Andrew Little has paid tribute to outgoing Prime Minister John Key, saying he has "served New Zealand well".

John Key's shock resignation has resonated around the globe with media and leaders from Australia and as far afield as China, the United States and Russia and France broadcasting the news online.

A terrible feeling of deja vu appears to have come over Prime Minister John Key. Here we sit, over a cuppa in a cafe in the centre of the Epsom electorate.

Key led his party to win the election in November 2008 after nine years of a Labour-run Government.

EXCLUSIVE: Hayley Holt has confirmed she will stand for the Green Party at next year's general election.

Even a close win in Mt Roskill could have been bad new for Andrew Little but the victory will transform the spirits of the party.

Waitemata Police have stopped prosecuting small-time P dealers. Does the Government agree?

COMMENT: Thursday was an historic day for pay equity.

The spying watchdog has urged Parliament to "tighten up" the warranting regime for New Zealand's intelligence agencies.

The Govt is making an announcement on the long-stalled changes to the Resource Management Act this afternoon.

Property and farming rich listers are among those who have made big donations to National over the past year.

A major inquiry into euthanasia is taking place, but the Govt has already concluded it will not lead to any changes in New Zealand.

The Government will buy up to three more motels and construct modular housing as part of a new $300 million investment in emergency housing.

The Government has announced a major policy on emergency housing this afternoon.

Former National Party president Michelle Boag has rapped a self-adapted version of 90's hit Gangsta's Paradise during a party fundraiser in Auckland last night.

COMMENT: Key and McCully forged their successful political partnership around dealings the United States and it is about to be harnessed again.

Who would turn their noses up at giving the public more electoral choices in New Zealand politics? Most politicos would, judging by

New Zealand politicians have given their verdict on the US election, Trump and Clinton.