New Zealand educational achievement has dropped significantly in the core subjects of science, maths and reading, according to a OECD report.

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: Regulation appeals to governments because it is the easiest response to a problem. But each affects people's freedom in some way.

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.

Primary and intermediate school teachers are being overworked and some subjects are prioritised at the expense of others, says a study into National Standards.

To understand Paula Bennett's value to the National Party, you just have to see how much Labour cant stand her.

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.

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.

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'.

Spring has sprung and with it a focus on renewal among political parties, writes Claire Trevett. National MPs are obediently acting like deciduous trees.

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.

Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English is to give up his Clutha-Southland seat at the next election and stand as a list candidate.

Has the political landscape really changed during the time shift from BC (Before Cunliffe) to AD (After David)?

Coalition mathematics is not far from the Prime Minister's mind these days.

Almost 100,000 Kiwis have had personal details accidentally released under National, says Labour leader.

Cabinet Minister and Napier MP Chris Tremain has confirmed that he will stand down from Parliament next year.

A winter of discontent in heartland National Party territory has nothing to do with the GCSB bill, as John Key likes to point out

Senior Government ministers Bill English and Steven Joyce say National Party members will be asked for policy ideas at the party conference in Nelson this weekend to take into next year's election.

If Labour leader David Shearer wants a tip from a winner, former Prime Minister Helen Clark says her advice is always to "be yourself".

The Act Party wants National supporters to save it from oblivion at next year's election, telling them it needs not just one, but two Parliamentary seats.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said his concerns about the bill had widened beyond the four he specified in his first reading.

Matt McCarten says John Key must feel like he's in a B-grade horror movie where his prom dates keep coming to gruesome demises.

Prime Minister John Key's decision to suddenly back Auckland on big infrastructure investments wasn't simply designed to steal a march on his Labour opponents.

I guess Maggie Barry's thoughts have turned to composing her bucket list, writes Brian Rudman. And leaving messages on her boss' phone, pleading for another u-turn.

It's been said you were a Labour Party supporter and campaigned for them. So why the switch?