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.

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

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

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

The officer who headed the 'Paintergate' and 'Teapot Tapes' inquiries is assessing a complaint over the hacking of Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater's computer.

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.

You could take your pick of Muldoon tea towels. One had "Not just a pretty face" printed under his portrait; the other "It's nice to have a man about the House".

So what if there is material that invites suspicion that Cameron Slater called in a favour to have a prisoner transferred? Who really cares, asks Toby Manhire.

The fall-out from Nicky Hager's new book deepened today with threats of legal action and calls for inquiries into its revelations.

Nicky Hager's new book, which claims John Key had a hand in releasing a SIS document shows Mr Key is "not fit to be PM", former Labour Leader Phil Goff says.

Hone Harawira sees the Internet Mana alliance enduring beyond the election because he and Laila Harre are synchronizing so well.

A new war on "loan sharks' should help bankrupt Auckland mum Farrah Matthews, who ended up paying $29k for a $12k car - borrowing money at 29 per cent interest.

In the lead-up to the election, the Herald is delivering political leaders as they're meant to be seen. Under the grill.

The Electoral Commission last night confirmed it had banned TV and radio broadcasts of Wellington bluesman Darren "Guitar" Watson's musical attack on the PM.

Epsom election candidates faced off at a public debate last night, with one promising to name a convicted sex offender with name suppression under parliamentary privilege.

An education-themed political meeting threatened to boil over as teachers took aim at Education Minister Hekia Parata and unloaded their long list of complaints about their schools, funding and heavy workload.