IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL IT'S OVER: Two weeks down, two to go. National is back in contention. But have tax cuts and Don Brash's revisiting matters Maori given National enough of a buffer to withstand the final onslaught from Labour?
SING IT AGAIN, DON: Don Brash reprises his "no special
treatment for Maori" greatest hit. A predictable thumbs down from the chattering classes. But a thumbs up from swing voters?
TARIANA'S TORMENT: Labour runs adverts on iwi radio claiming a vote for the Maori Party is a vote for Don Brash. Tariana Turia is forced off the fence to rule out any deals with National. Who benefits? Her foes in the Labour Party, of course.
KING CANUTE IN RETREAT: After endlessly saying he wouldn't, he now says he will. At least, sort of. Winston Peters finally admits his refusal to indicate his post-election preferences is hurting NZ First. big-time.
LEAKY BUILDINGS: Who was responsible for the "dirty tricks" leak of faxes and emails revealing Don Brash got copious amounts of advice from the Business Roundtable and senior figures within Act? But did he take it? And does it all really matter?
BOB THE BEWILDERER: The odds shorten on National's Tauranga candidate, Bob Clarkson, upsetting Winston Peters. But the construction industry mover and shaker does himself little good by shunning a platform with Peters on the grounds he is a "doer", not a debater. So what are you going to do in Parliament's debating chamber, Bob?
BROKEN ENGLISH: National blots its exercise book with spelling mistakes in a sample "Plain English" report card - its plan to give parents a much clearer idea of how well their children are doing at school.
CAPTAIN SPEAKING: Helen Clark gives an Air NZ pilot an earful.
