Former broadcaster Maggie Barry is seeking to stand for National in the seat which has been held by retiring Cabinet Minister Wayne Mapp since 1996.

Amid cries of racism and snipes between the Maori Party and its former colleague Hone Harawira, the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill was passed yesterday.

Legislation that will replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act could become law by the end of the week, and in Parliament today parties opposed to it were preparing to fight it to the last clause.

Act leader accuses middle class of stopping projects which create jobs for less well-off.

Hone Harawira says it was "dumb" and shameful that he forgot to vote on the bill that was the main reason for his break with the Maori Party.

The second reading of the bill to replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act has passed through Parliament and former Maori Party MP Hone Harawira wasn't there to vote against it - despite the bill being the reason for him leaving his party.

National candidate Jami-Lee Ross convincingly won the Botany byelection tonight and will become the youngest MP in Parliament this term.

Ten vying for electorate in southeast Auckland predicted to be a sure bet for National Party

Winston Peters says the Government has pestered him to accept an overseas ambassadorship - to get him out of politics and out of the country.