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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Auckland will get nine new schools after the Govt announced a $350m funding boost in an effort to get ahead of the city's surging population.

The Internet Party is seeking legal advice after Prime Minister John Key linked a video of an effigy of himself being burned by jeering youths with the party.

Colin Craig must be tougher than he looks. His revelation that the Chinese firm owning the Crafar farms has applied to buy another pastoral gem was fairly brutal retaliation for National's refusal to give him an electorate.

'Are you Red-dee for a Rev-Oh - Loo- Shin? Are you Red-dee to take down the Government? Are you Red-dee to extradite John Key?"

Widespread damage to election hoardings has been described as "pretty disappointing" but "part of the election campaign process" by the Prime Minister.

Election emails fall from time and space on to the desk of columnist Toby Manhire - who shares them with you today. What do the say about NZ politics?

SkyCity Entertainment is tidying up its corporate image, now it has hundreds of extra poker machines firmly in its sights, writes John Drinnan.

An Internet-Mana Party video clip of a frenzied crowd cheering on Kim Dotcom and chanting "F*** John Key" is being compared to Nazi Germany propaganda.

Further moves to reform the Resource Management Act have been flagged among key environment priorities for National ahead of the election.

An organisation headed by broadcaster and former politician Willie Jackson is in negotiations to open a charter school.

Prime Minister John Key will face both Internet-Mana Party leaders on Monday at his only local public debate in his Helensville electorate.

Prime Minister John Key says he is happy for a Chinese company to buy a central North Island farm so long as the correct process is followed.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has accused Labour of "xenophobia" in their opposition of the potential sale of Lochinver Station.

You cannot teach an old dog new tricks. Or so they say. Well, just try telling Winston Peters that.

What John Banks is labelling compelling new evidence for an appeal against his criminal conviction is believed to be sworn statements from two Americans.

The National Government's $212 million plan to put a series of hand-picked regional roading projects in the fastlane using asset sales cash is not backed by a strong economic case.

National's $212 million plan to fast-track regional road projects using asset sales cash is not backed by a strong economic case, OIA documents reveal.

John Banks says the battle to clear his name is far from over, claiming "compelling" new evidence will exonerate him.

Whatever the truth about what Nick Smith said, his utterances lay bare what seems to be a long-term strategy - to get all sorts of organisations to pull their necks in and get with the programme, writes Dita De Boni.

Last time I wrote in this esteemed organ, I proffered an idea or two as to why Labour wasn't exactly breathing down National's neck, writes Mike Hosking.

MPs have headed off on the campaign trail with one last blast at their rivals.