John Key helped the Maori Party throw a $5000-a-seat fundraiser at which diners at the event were promised the chance to "chat confidentially" with the Prime Minister.

Don Brash's autobiography reveals he is a man of principle who doesn't appear to know what side his toast is buttered on, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

Don Brash has likened the proposed Government-backed Auckland central rail link to the worst of National's white-elephant Think Big energy projects of the early 1980s.

Don Brash devotes all of three paragraphs to the Exclusive Brethren in his 330-page autobiography despite his dealings with the Church.

Former Reserve Bank governor Don Brash considered taking his own life "to end the pain" following the failure of his two marriages.

Timid and hypersensitive to opinion polls - that is Don Brash's scathing verdict on the performance of the Government led by the man who replaced him as National's leader.

Dirty Dog sunglasses, that infamous punch-up with Trevor Mallard outside the debating chamber...what will we do without Parliament's bad boy?

Tau Henare had the 'X-factor' and will be missed by Parliament, writes NZ Herald political editor Audrey Young.

Internet Party founder Kim Dotcom will address the Mana Party annual conference in Rotorua next weekend.

New Zealand First is doing "far better'' among voters than recent polls would suggest, leader Winston Peters says.

PM John Key knows homeowners in the electorally crucial mortgage belts of Auckland are nervous about rising mortgage rates, writes Bernard Hickey.

A fiercely anti-abortion lobby group is putting pressure on the National Party not to select an experienced doctor whose job has involved authorising and performing abortions.

National has fallen two points to 43 per cent in the latest Roy Morgan poll.

Hone Harawira issued an ultimatum to Kim Dotcom and the Internet Party yesterday: if Dotcom does any sort of deal with Peter Dunne, Harawira is out, writes Audrey Young.

Prime Minister John Key said the Chinese government had "rolled out the red carpet" for his visit to China.

The faith modern executives have in the transformational powers of rebranding is remarkable.

It was disappointing to hear David Cunliffe suggesting today's Herald DigiPoll survey putting Labour at 29.5 per cent is off the mark, writes Audrey Young.

David Cunliffe says National's support will corrode over perceptions of crony capitalism - but admits there's more work for Labour to do after today's abysmal poll result.

Labour's support has sunk nearly six points and it is polling only 29.5 per cent in the Herald-DigiPoll survey.

Opponents see Key as using the flag to surreptitiously tap into the rich veins of patriotism and national identity that lurk in voters' subconscious, writes John Armstrong.

My colonoscopy involved sedation providing a 15-20 minute sleep, so light I woke up during it and watched for a time before dozing off again, writes Bob Jones.

A string of National Party high-flyers have been entertained by the milk exporter at the centre of a conflict of interest row involving Justice Minister Judith Collins

In setting September 20 as the date for the election, the PM has just managed to avoid looking like he is using his position to questionable advantage, writes John Armstrong.

National's election-year overhaul of MPs and contenders continued over the weekend with the selection of Wayne Walford to contest the battleground Napier seat.

Labour MP Grant Robertson says Judith Collins' claim that she dropped in to Oravida in Shanghai for a casual cup of tea does not ring true.

Dr Shane Reti will be the National Party's candidate in the safe Whangarei electorate at this year's general election.

Editorial: Judith Collins was naive if she believed the actions and comments of a Cabinet minister would not be used by the company to promote its products.