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.

The 10-hour raid on Nicky Hager's house this week gives us a tasty preview of how police could be roped into doing the bidding for higher powers, says Dita de Boni.

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.

Maori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has been appointed as a Minister after his party inked its confidence and supply deal with National this afternoon.

Prime Minister John Key signed two insurance agreements yesterday in the form of confidence and supply deals with Act and United Future.

NZ's elite SAS personnel aren't yet on standby for deployment to combat Islamic State militants - but the PM can't rule out sending them in if asked.

Prime Minister John Key won't rule out sending New Zealand's elite SAS personnel to assist US efforts to counter Islamic State militants in Iraq or even Syria.

The Act Party has signed a deal to work with National for another three years, but the agreement does not include a ministerial portfolio for new MP David Seymour.

Peter Dunne says he hopes his new deal with the National-led Government will enable him to knock some "rough edges" off National’s legislative agenda.

Prime Minister John Key is expecting to receive advice over the coming weeks on further assistance New Zealand could offer to help counter the terrorist group Isis.

Coalition deals to form the next government will be signed this week, Prime Minister John Key says.

The Maori Party expects to have a confidence and supply deal to put to its party members next week, co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell said last night after talks with the National Party leadership.

National has farewelled departing MPs at Parliament this morning and welcomed its new faces.