The roading announcement was also part of a wider strategy to convince voters that the Greens will be the driving force of any post-election coalition, writes John Armstrong.

Prime Minister John Key has announced a $212 million roading and construction package in a bid to shoreup National's vote in regional New Zealand for the election.

The three National MPs effectively forced to retire at the coming election appeared to boycott a ceremony at the party's conference yesterday to thank all 12 retiring MPs for their service.

The prospect of the Internet Mana alliance teaming up with Labour has been a recurring theme at the National Party conference.

Anti-oil exploration protesters have put up banners in Wellington ahead of the National Party's Annual Conference.

One word jumped out when I read John Roughan's book on the PM yesterday. That word is "disciplined", writes Fran O'Sullivan.

If it seems a dismal beginning to the election campaign, there is cause to hope that this has been a flash flood, rather than the start of a long storm, writes Toby Manhire.

National's little Act Party poodle seems to be running scared of the attention-seeking yapping of wannabe Conservative Party lapdog Colin Craig, writes Brian Rudman.

A donation from Donghua Liu to a rowing club linked to a former Labour Cabinet minister has been confirmed.

Prime Minister John Key has added his voice to calls for Donghua Liu to put up or shut up over his donations to Labour.

Labour's Tukituki candidate rejects a claim that she was once a National supporter, despite a photograph of her and PM John Key tweeted in 2011.

Kiwis are interested in very little, if the PM is to be believed. The America's Cup is the latest in a long list of things Mr Key has declared NZ to be unconcerned about.

Millionaire businessman Donghua Liu has confirmed for the first time that he donated to the Labour Party.

John Roughan writes: Nine months ago, I received an offer that gave me excitement and trepidation. Would I like to write a book on John Key? Would I!

Letters of support from two Government MPs for Donghua Liu's citizenship bid have been kept secret - despite two Labour politicians' letters for Liu being released this week.

Retired accountant Graham McCready is pursuing a private prosecution against the Prime Minister over the Banks' case and says it's not a waste of court time.

New Herald poll shows Internet-Mana would get two MPs, as their success eats into the Greens vote while National is still well ahead of Labour.

Yet another poll - the Herald-DigiPoll survey today - suggests National is heading for a decisive re-election in September.

Ex-NBR owner Barry Colman recently gave the National Party $50,000 - the first time the wealthy publisher's contribution has had to be disclosed.

List MP Claudette Hauiti has been selected as the National Party candidate for Kelston.

Paul Goldsmith was gasping like a fish out of water, writes John Armstrong. When he did find his voice, he made an absolute hash of answering the reporter's questions.

Left leaning political commentator and academic Bryce Edwards has pulled out of Otago University's Vote Chat online politics show over concerns the programme is now dominated by National Party supporters.

David Cunliffe may well be proud that red is the colour of socialism, writes Claire Trevett, but he can't afford a re-enactment of Thrones' Red Wedding.

With 100 days to go until election day on September 20, the political parties - no doubt fibbing through clenched teeth - profess to be ready. Or close enough.

The Chinese businessman whose links to the National Party led to Maurice Williamson's resignation has a good chance of avoiding a conviction on domestic violence charges.

Prime Minister John Key says National would have refused to accept some votes of Act MP John Banks had he not said he would quit Parliament.

Graham McCready is clearly a winner. He declared the police wrong in not prosecuting Banks. With the indefatigable Penny Bright's help, he got the case to court.