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.

Young Epsom candidate says party bent on putting internal wrangling in past.

New Zealand First would hold the balance of power if the results of the first major political poll of the year were translated to an election result.

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.

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 Hone Harawira says Prime Minister John Key's criticism of his record of attendance at Parliament is "petty".

PM John Key has hinted National is working on its own legislation to extend paid parental leave - but will it match the 26 weeks Labour is pushing for?

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 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.

Jami-Lee Ross, National MP for Botany, talks to Audrey Young.

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.

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig says he doesn't expect any backlash from his admission this morning that he still smacks his own child.

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.

Government's coffers end up with $12 million from $33 million worth of assets ordered seized by judges.