After nearly three years of tough talking, British Prime Minister David Cameron is facing a crunch moment in his troubled strategy towards the European Union.

Mr and Mrs Popularity will meet again today in Auckland when German Chancellor Angela Merkel jets into town to meet Prime Minister John Key.

Tartan kilts, the skirl of bagpipes, the odd Saltire waved in the air, the audience clapping as though they were at a boisterous Highland ceilidh: all the expected elements of a gathering to celebrate Scotland's imminent exit from the Union were there.

Labour's support among men has fallen to just 18.4 per cent in today's Herald-DigiPoll survey, taking a traditional gender gap in support for the party to a new low.

National has taken a hit in the first poll since Nicky Hager's Dirty Politics was released but the Greens, not Labour, are the big winners so far.

David Cunliffe's popularity began to wane almost as soon as the media spotlight ceased illuminating the contest over the Labour Party's parliamentary leadership, writes Dr Damien Rogers.

Speculation over Prime Minister Julia Gillard's leadership has reached a new pitch after a sudden shift among MPs dismayed at the state of the Government and the looming defeat of a key media reform package.

I'm determined to be first, and thus present: 2013 - the NewZealand political year in review, writes Toby Manhire.(Disclaimer: Here and there I've had to extrapolate.)

Pensioners are holding out in a dwindling minority opposing gay marriage - as 2013 looks possibly to be the year for it to become reality.

Labour Party leader David Shearer is now assured of maximum public attention when he addresses the party's annual conference on Sunday.

John Key's achievement this week deserves more recognition than it might ever receive.