The election of Trevor Mallard yesterday as Assistant Speaker will almost certainly take out of play one of the most recalcitrant MPs in Question Time.

The rotten smell of the contents of Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics will linger around the Government this term, writes John Armstrong.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has revealed his top priorities for the next three years.

Nearly two-thirds of National supporters voted for the Act Party's David Seymour in Epsom, newly released election data shows.

A former National staffer who resigned following the release of Nicky Hager’s book Dirty Politics has re-appeared with a new job.

Former minister Judith Collins is getting sympathy from unlikely places after she was denied the title "The Honourable" by Prime Minister John Key.

John Key admits he should've told Judith Collins that she wasn't getting an "Honorable" title, and "in all probability" she'll get it eventually.

Resource Management Act reform will be aimed at housing affordability, building and construction minister Nick Smith has told a summit today.

A carve-up of the housing portfolio in the new Cabinet has alerted the country to a radical reform the Government has in mind for state housing.

When John Key dumped Judith Collins at the height of the Dirty Politics affair, he refused to disclose who gave him a copy of the email that prompted him to dump her from the Cabinet.

A “domestic beheading” inspired by foreign fanatics is one of several threats New Zealand potentially faces from the so-called Islamic State, John Key said this morning.

Rust never sleeps. And neither, it seems, does John Key.

National minister Chris Finlayson's world has become a little more 007 with his anointment as Minister for Spies, but his first love remains the Treaty of Waitangi settlements.

The path to the top can begin in unusual places. For Paula Bennett, it was performing as Rizzo in a high school production of the musical Grease.

The Prime Minister might get to choose who sits where in the Cabinet and on his front bench, but it seems National's caucus has a far more anarchic pecking order - one based on speed and punctuality just once every three years.

If New Zealand decides to send forces to support an international response to the "Islamic State" in Iraq and Syria (Isis), the decision will be made by the Government not Parliament, the Prime Minister has explained.

Any commitment of military assistance to counter Islamic State militants in Iraq should not make NZ more of a target for terrorism, Prime Minister John Key says.

Maggie Barry’s first official act after being named the new Conservation Minister was to be pecked in the face by a world-famous bird.

Planning policies have probably increased inequality amongst New Zealanders more than any other policies through higher housing costs Finance Minister Bill English says.

PM says any plan to give assistance to efforts against militants will probably be debated in Parliament but the ultimate decision is the Government's alone.

Prime Minister John Key has split housing issues across three ministers as National speeds up its shift toward developing social housing by private providers and reducing reliance on state....

Prime Minister John Key has anointed fast-rising ministers Paula Bennett, Jonathan Coleman, Amy Adams and Simon Bridges as his potential successors in a Cabinet reshuffle.

When it comes to reshuffling their Cabinets, prime ministers need to follow one maxim: if they think it ain't broke then it probably needs fixing.

The most striking and welcome feature of the Cabinet named yesterday is the spreading of responsibility for the security intelligence agencies.

Prime Minister John Key's reshuffle has seen the ascension of Paula Bennett to become National's highest ranked woman - up from nine to five on the front bench.

Paula Bennett, Jonathan Coleman, Amy Adams and Simon Bridges have consolidated their status as the National Government’s rising stars in John Key’s new Cabinet.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell's appointment to head the newly rebranded Maori Development portfolio reflects a new focus for what used to be Maori Affairs, Prime Minister John Key says.