Latest from Best of Political Analysis

Fran O'Sullivan: It's time for more women at the heart of democracy

Congratulations to Party Central for putting gender equality ahead of diversity when it comes to the ranking criteria for selecting the next crop of Labour MPs.

Bryce Edwards: Labour's 'man ban' problem

Many of Labour's potential voters will be less than impressed with its proposal to ensure that more women are elected as MPs, writes Bryce Edwards.

John Armstrong: Classic signs of a trap in the making

"Is a noose slowly being tightened around the Prime Minister's neck?" asks John Armstrong.

Claire Trevett: Time short for Maori Party to rekindle fire

Any suggestion of a full merger between the Maori Party and Mana remains as likely as Act merging with the Greens, writes Claire Trevett.

Bryce Edwards: The disintegration of Maori politics

The resignation of Pita Sharples from the leadership of the Maori Party may be a landmark in the demise of pan-Maori politics, writes Bryce Edwards.

John Armstrong: Confusion reigns for Maori Party

Renewal, regeneration, rebirth. No matter what you call it, no political party can escape it.

Audrey Young: Key keeps spy bill ticking along

One can only hope that John Key doesn't run his Cabinet meetings the way he is running the Intelligence and Security Committee meeting, writes Audrey Young.

John Armstrong: Sharples' resignation may be too little, too late

Pita Sharples' resignation may be too little too late as far as strengthening the party's chances of surviving as a parliamentary force goes, writes John Armstrong.

Politics: Shakeup looms in Maori parties

Saturday's Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election result has surely focused the minds of those involved in the bitter divide between the Mana and Maori parties, writes Bryce Edwards.

John Armstrong: Forced exit adds a scar but it won't destabilise Govt

Talk of any byelection in Dunne's Ohariu seat is premature, writes John Armstrong. An early election is in the realm of the fanciful.

Bryce Edwards: The bizarre and mysterious Peter Dunne scandal

Peter Dunne's downfall remains quite a bizarre mystery with many unanswered questions and issues, writes Bryce Edwards.

Claire Trevett: Sir Douglas deserves his title still

Stripping honours for reasons other than traditional crimes, is a relatively new phenomenon sparked by the global financial crisis, writes Claire Trevett.

John Armstrong: At the top, no one makes a sacrifice

In a perfect world, Hekia Parata would have offered her resignation from her Education portfolio yesterday, writes John Armstrong.

Bryce Edwards: Political round-up: Reactionary cartoons and outrage

Bryce Edwards: Food in Schools - victory and defeat

The new food in schools programme can be seen as a significant victory or defeat for both the left and right - depending on how you look at it, writes Bryce Edwards

John Armstrong: Who-Dunne-it adds spice to dreary day

It had all the makings of a classic whodunit, writes John Armstrong. Or should that be a who-Dunne-it?

Claire Trevett: Many flavours in Key's porridge

Mana leader Hone Harawira spat at the porridge in disgust, writes Claire Trevett. Prime Minister John Key thought the porridge was just right.

John Armstrong: National's KickStart contribution a 'feelgood' move

National's approach is about as "in line" with the Children's Commissioner's report as the atmosphere on Mars is "in line" with that on Earth, writes John Armstrong.