Tony Ryall is and has always been the archetypal, solid-to-the-core National Party MP who believes that loyalty to one's party is paramount, writes John Armstrong.

National and the Greens have been major movers in the latest One News Colmar Brunton poll, with National up six points to 51 per cent and the Greens down by five to 8 per cent.

Prime Minister John Key says he is committed to staying for the full three-year term if he remains as prime minister after the general election this year.

Mr Key says it's a 'bit sad' but agitators do finally leave and everyone enjoys a `family day'.

Claire Robinson asks; "Why bad policy making? Because neither Cabinet nor the general public are capable of making the best decision for NZ on the design of the flag of the future."

National will leave decisions about endorsement of other parties such as Act and the Conservatives possibly as late as the election campaign.

In what is quickly becoming a year-long de facto election campaign, one can guarantee National will drum in the message that Cunliffe is a politician who cannot be trusted, writes John Armstrong.

Justice Minister Judith Collins says Greens co-leader Metiria Turei is a "sanctimonious hypocrite" for championing the poor while dressing in expensive designer clothes.

The long running tit-for-tat between Metiria Turei and senior Government ministers over her clothes has reignited again with claims of racism and hypocrisy.

'We've been absolutely clear in all the materials.' David Cunliffe has defended against accusations he mislead the public over his $60 baby bonus.

Pacific Islanders need to rediscover their entrepreneurial spirit, says the new minister tasked with turning around their job and education prospects.

Prime Minister John Key has accused Labour leader David Cunliffe of "misleading New Zealanders" over the $60-a-week child payment scheme.

The shame over Parliament non-attendance rests on the Prime Minister's shoulders, Hone Harawira says.

Labour's $60-a-week child payment scheme may produce less work and more babies, economists say.

Mana Party Leader and sole MP Hone Harawira is "taking the mickey’’ with his frequent absences from Parliament, Prime Minister John Key says.

Winston Peters' summer went rather well for him and so has his start to the political year.

The PM's about-turn on working with Peters was utterly predictable, writes John Armstrong.

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.

The Government's creation of new roles in NZ schools - including 'executive principals' and 'expert teachers' - has been cautiously welcomed by the teaching profession.

Prime Minister John Key is on to a winner with his big plans to financially reward excellent teachers and principals, writes Audrey Young.

The National Government’s economic focus will be on paying down debt as Crown finance’s improve, Prime Minister John Key said this morning.

Read PM John Key's full state of the nation-style speech to the West Auckland Business Club.

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.

'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.

National's decision to potentially work with Winston Peters and New Zealand First after the next election is not without risk, writes Audrey Young.