Latest from NZ National Party

$350m to build 9 new Auckland schools

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.

Key close to getting boot from debate

'Do you want to leave now?' asked the host of last night's Helensville debate of Prime Minister John Key - who came closest to being kicked out.

Nats include 18, 19-year-olds in scheme

A further 3500 young people on welfare could have their spending tightly controlled by an adult supervisor if National is re-elected.

Harre mulls legal action against Key

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.

John Roughan: Lochinver is an issue Key needs

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.

Fran O'Sullivan: Young need to connect the Dots

'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?"

Key disappointed by billboard vandalism

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

Toby Manhire: Huffing and puffing on the hustings

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?

John Armstrong: National the only game in town for Peters

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

New case looms as Banks fights on

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

Road plans don't stack up: Opposition

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.

Shaky case for $212m roading plan

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: The fight is not over

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

Dita De Boni: Government by intimidation

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.

Mike Hosking: Bias? Not me - I just call it as I see it

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.

Claire Trevett: Parting shots in the House

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