Latest from Audrey Young on politics

Ponytail antics fuels succession talk in National

Nobody would be shocked if Key called time if his popularity waned, given that his popularity sustains his political drive, writes Audrey Young.

Today I'm embarrassed John Key is Prime Minister

"Today I’m embarrassed that John Key is Prime Minister", writes Audrey Young: "I have not felt that in the past six-and-a-bit years he had led the country."

Audrey Young: PM transcript release a small victory

The PM's Office has finally agreed to release transcripts from his post cabinet press conferences, and Audrey Young says it's a small, but important, victory.

Audrey Young: Little's captain's call a sensitive issue

Andrew Little made something of "a captain's call" on Waitangi Day when suggesting notions of greater Maori sovereignty should not be dismissed.

Audrey Young: A knight is a long time in politics

How did John Key get away with honouring Prince Philip, but Tony Abbott hasn't? Political editor Audrey Young outlines her theories.

Audrey Young: Stumbling blocks on Helen Clark's road to UN Secretary General

The possibility of former Prime Minister Helen Clark leading the United Nations is a common subject of speculation.

NZ steps up to centre stage at UN

Foreign Minister Murray McCully wants New Zealand to be "sure-footed" from the outset when it officially begins its term on the UN Security Council tomorrow night.

Audrey Young: Former enemy crucial to Labour's resurrection

Matt McCarten, the former enemy, is now seen as a calm and pragmatic influence in Labour who could play a crucial role in its resurrection, writes Audrey Young.

Audrey Young: Time to get down to business on tangled trade deal

Rescuing the deal from a pitiful result is john Key's top priority for the trip, writes Audrey Young. Expecting a gold-standard deal is probably out of the question. But it could be much worse.

Audrey Young: Based on effort we should be a shoo in

Getting a seat on the Security Council is not seen by many as a big deal. But it is, writes Audrey Young. And with the deteriorating state of relations among the five permanent members at present, it is an even bigger deal.

Audrey Young: Conviction delay blindsided Act MP

All weekend, Act supporters and friends of the Act Epsom MP were saying John Banks would "do the right thing", writes Audrey Young.

Audrey Young: A big question hanging over Judith Collins

To understand the demise of Judith Collins, it helps to understand what a powerful role she has carved out for herself in the National Party.

Audrey Young: Clouds darken over National as Labour shines

This has been by far the best week for Labour this year, due in equal parts to the Williamson scandal and Labour's management of an important policy, writes Audrey Young.

Audrey Young: Lack of judgment as worrying as it is bizarre

There may be an explanation as to why Maurice Williamson's political judgment deserted him to the extent he interfered in a police investigation that cost him his ministerial post.

Audrey Young: Too many words and not enough Act

Tiny parties are rarely in the spotlight and rarely get the chance to set the news agenda. Whyte squandered his opportunity, writes Audrey Young.

Audrey Young: Winston Peters resists excellent questions

A bunch of colleagues from the Press Gallery yesterday were showered with a suite of insults by NZ First leader Winston Peters on his way into Parliament, writes Audrey Young.