Latest fromNZ National Party
A good start for Peters
Winston Peters' summer went rather well for him and so has his start to the political year.
John Armstrong: Winston for PM? Don't bet against it
The PM's about-turn on working with Peters was utterly predictable, writes John Armstrong.
Critics find praise for support plan
National has managed to win praise from many of its usual critics - even the teacher unions - for its latest policy to try to lift student achievement.
PPTA cautiously optimistic
The Government's creation of new roles in NZ schools - including 'executive principals' and 'expert teachers' - has been cautiously welcomed by the teaching profession.
Audrey Young: PM on to a winner with teacher rewards
Prime Minister John Key is on to a winner with his big plans to financially reward excellent teachers and principals, writes Audrey Young.
Paying off debt is Govt's focus - Key
The National Government’s economic focus will be on paying down debt as Crown finance’s improve, Prime Minister John Key said this morning.
PM John Key's full speech
Read PM John Key's full state of the nation-style speech to the West Auckland Business Club.
John Armstrong: Parties set agendas in lieu of election
The frenetic activity is all about National and Labour grappling with one another for the early election-year political initiative and - hopefully - retaining it, writes John Armstrong.
Key softens stance on deal with Peters
'A few things have changed.' National could work with Winston Peters' NZ First after this year's election, PM John Key has said - reversing his stance.
Audrey Young: National accepts the risks in going back to NZ First
National's decision to potentially work with Winston Peters and New Zealand First after the next election is not without risk, writes Audrey Young.
Family time on agenda as busy year rolls in
Jami-Lee Ross, National MP for Botany, talks to Audrey Young.
Colin Craig targets anti-smacking law
Colin Craig says repealing the anti-smacking law will be a condition of his support for a National-led Government, after confirming he smacked his own child.
Colin Craig: I smack my child
Conservative Party leader Colin Craig says he doesn't expect any backlash from his admission this morning that he still smacks his own child.
'I've learned the hard way'
Conservative leader Colin Craig is confident he can change people's minds about him, after a Herald poll found a third of respondents believed he was too extreme.
Costs cut into crime profits cash
Government's coffers end up with $12 million from $33 million worth of assets ordered seized by judges.
Bennett: Sip It Sweetie
Irreverent Cabinet Minister Paula Bennett has produced her own pink wine label on a chardonnay this Christmas called "Sip It Sweetie".
National MP ousted by his own party
National's sitting MP in Kaikoura, Colin King, was ousted by his own party last night after a challenge from a local farmer at a selection meeting.
John Armstrong: Cutting tax tempting for National
To suddenly talk about tax cuts would send a very mixed message about the need for continued restraint in government spending, writes John Armstrong.
MP quits Parliament for funeral sector
National list MP Katrina Shanks will resign from Parliament in the New Year to work as chief executive of the Funeral Directors' Association.
Angry protesters at Nats' xmas party
'They just protest because that's all they've got to do all day.' PM John Key isn't fazed by protesters who tried to ruin the National Party Xmas party last night.
NZ education standards falling - OECD
New Zealand educational achievement has dropped significantly in the core subjects of science, maths and reading, according to a OECD report.
John Armstrong: Result cue for National soul-searching
From the earliest results, it was obvious Labour was going to win - and win big. It was slaughter, pure and simple, writes John Armstrong.
Editorial: Govt should curb its love of regulation
Editorial: Regulation appeals to governments because it is the easiest response to a problem. But each affects people's freedom in some way.
She's back - return of the Nanny State
The last Labour Govt was ousted amid cries of "Nanny State". Five years on, the National-led Govt has also been accused of running people's lives.
Study raises Standards concerns
Primary and intermediate school teachers are being overworked and some subjects are prioritised at the expense of others, says a study into National Standards.
Audrey Young: Bennett asset to Nats
To understand Paula Bennett's value to the National Party, you just have to see how much Labour cant stand her.
Fran O'Sullivan: Big Two part of Key plans for next year
The PM is factoring in the possibility of a visit by Barack Obama to NZ as one of the wild cards he has to consider in setting the date for next year's election.
MPs with most valuable land portfolios
In the second part of a Herald investigation, we look at the MPs' property rich list. The top ten MPs, what they own and why a Labour MP didn't declare her trusteeship.
MPs' loophole 'stings taxpayers'
A lobby group believes a loophole exposed by the Herald of MPs non-disclosure of properties held in superannuation schemes is 'stinging taxpayers in the pocket'.
How the property data was discovered
The Herald's research into politicians' property holdings for this week's three-part series is the biggest data journalism project in New Zealand.
Editorial: Retiring Nats steal march on opponents
In any walk of life, ongoing renewal is critical. Any sports team, business or political party, however successful, risks being viewed as stale if it ignores this necessity for too long.
Claire Trevett: Party pruning begins but Labour men cling on
Spring has sprung and with it a focus on renewal among political parties, writes Claire Trevett. National MPs are obediently acting like deciduous trees.
How Key lost home loans bid
John Key has admitted he had to be persuaded to back off his bid to press the Reserve Bank into exempting first-home buyers from the banks' new loan rules.