Latest from NZ National Party

Bill English U-turns on gay marriage

New National Party leader Bill English has revealed he would vote in favour of same-sex marriage if another vote was held.

Bill English: I am excited to be leading

Bill English said he looked forward to leading the country in a statement to the press today.

Key: NZ in safe hands with Bill in charge

New Zealand is in good hands with Bill English elected by the National Party as the 39th Prime Minister, John Key says.

Changes keep leaders busy

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.

'The end of an era': Key clears his office

It was out with the old and in with the new on the ninth floor of the Beehive yesterday as PM John Key marked his final day in the job by packing up his office.

Rodney Hide: National all aquiver over PM

COMMENT: The most common question in politics is, "Why not me?" That's the question National MPs have spent the week asking.

Editorial: Key leaves Peters back in play

A week has never seemed such a long time in politics.

No day of rest for new power couple

Incoming PM Bill English and his deputy Paula Bennett will meet in Wellington today to start hammering out the team they want to take into 2017 election.

Bronagh has a list of jobs for post-PM

Bronagh Key made her first public appearance yesterday since her husband's shock resignation as Prime Minister.

First time in ages, National's all at sea

COMMENT: For a decade National didn't have to think about a leader, now they will be scrambling to make sense of it all, writes Barry Soper.

Mike Hosking: My call on the next PM

COMMENT: The stable predictable thing is English for PM, Bennett the deputy and Joyce for finance. Not my ideal, but safe. But is it enough for election year?

Nats rump revels in glorious anarchy

COMMENT: Alas, poor John, an ominous rumbling noise started in the bowels of the party's massive backbench rump. It could not be ignored.

David Hall: Key going as rules change

COMMENT: 'The personal is political": a slogan that John Key, our outgoing Prime Minister, fudged vigorously throughout his tenure.

Judith Collins: 'No tax cuts'

Judith Collins has laid out her policy agenda if she is elected Prime Minister.

Kiwis invited to say: Thanks, John Key

The National Party is inviting Kiwis to thank John Key for his 10 years leading the party and eight years' service as Prime Minister.

National contenders begin auditions

Fevered lobbying to become the next PM has begun in the National caucus as Bill English, Judith Collins and Jonathan Coleman vie for position.

Opinion: Key era one giant facepalm

COMMENT: I'm not gonna lie. I'm glad to see the back end of him. Clothed, of course, writes Rachel Stewart.

PM choice should not be a dead cert

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