The rejection of the Government's flagship education policy by primary school teachers and principals was "sadly predictable" in an election year, according to Prime Minister John Key.

Cameron Slater and his Whale Oil Beef Hooked website have some passionate advocates. But Slater presents some risks as part of a public relations strategy.

New Zealand's economic recovery is tentatively under way, albeit with a few wobbles.

As soon as he stepped out of the chauffeur-driven BMW, he was on the back foot.

Prime Minister John Key yesterday hit back hard over the Dirty Politics allegations against him and his Government.

Primary school teachers and principals have voted overwhelmingly to reject the Government's flagship education policy.

Embattled Justice Minister Judith Collins has surfaced visiting an online retailer in Mangere but refused to comment on claims about her links with blogger Cameron Slater.

The inspector-general of Intelligence and Security's decision to investigate the release of SIS documents to Cameron Slater is "hugely significant", writes John Armstrong.

Labour has gone for the heartstrings in TV ads to be aired today while National has taken a more light-hearted approach as the on-screen political campaign begins.

John Key has put Judith Collins on her second final warning in five months over her "unwise" collusion with Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater.

In health, the election has become a bidding war focused on the new centre ground of free doctor visits.

John Key damned 'News of the World'-style tactics during the 'teapot tapes' saga but shrugs off his adviser's infiltration of Labour Party records, writes Brian Rudman.

John Armstrong writes: Huge cracks suddenly appeared yesterday in the wall of denial erected by the National Party to shield itself from the damaging allegations.

National has boosted its Porkometer tally by almost $600 million in little more than a week with plans to spend up on schools, hospices and cycleways.

Judith Collins was "unwise" to pass details of a public servant to blogger Cameron Slater and she is now on her last chance, Prime Minister John Key says.

With a surplus in his sights this year, Finance Minister Bill English has confirmed his Government has budgeted for tax cuts some time over the next four years

Government figures continued to come under pressure over Dirty Politics allegations yesterday, with Justice Minister Judith Collins facing calls for her resignation.

Voters comparing social policies at this election have a clear choice: "Unrelenting focus on work" with National, or a softer line if Labour wins.

The National Party will turn its back on glitzy SkyCity to launch its election campaign at the Manukau Events Centre.

National began its fightback yesterday with a push to convince people the way Nicky Hager got his source material was dirtier than anything the Govt has done.

National has lost some support, according to two new polls released tonight.

Internet mogul Kim Dotcom has denied another accusation by Cameron Slater that he was responsible for hacking Slater's blog website earlier this year.

The Labour Party has called on Prime Minister John Key to publicly name the National staff member the party admitted infiltrated Labour's website server in 2011.

The thing that could hurt Key comes in the form of Jason Ede, Key's senior staffer, writes Patrick Gower.

With so many allegations of "dirty politics" flying back and forth, it feels like the election campaign has been going for weeks and voting day cannot be far away.

Labour has released documents it says proves its website was hacked by people working for the National Party.

The tirade of insults, invective and scorn directed at Nicky Hager must rank as one of the most sustained efforts by National.

A musician who wrote a satirical song about Prime Minister John Key has been threatened with prosecution if he sells the track on iTunes.