Latest from Best of Political Analysis

Audrey Young: National accepts the risks in going back to NZ First

National's decision to potentially work with Winston Peters and New Zealand First after the next election is not without risk, writes Audrey Young.

Claire Trevett: Of musical chairs and other absurd carryings-on

The parliamentary year ended yesterday, and so it is time for the school prizegiving, writes Claire Trevett. For the middle year of a second-term Government, it was a surprisingly busy year.

Audrey Young: Bennett asset to Nats

To understand Paula Bennett's value to the National Party, you just have to see how much Labour cant stand her.

John Armstrong: Different leaders, same message: No

Their respective tones may have differed markedly, but National and Labour basically gave Winston Peters the same message yesterday, writes John Armstrong.

Claire Trevett: Best advice: Keep it in your pants

Everybody has distractions, writes Claire Trevett. In fact, when it comes to time, family and raising children is a far more time-consuming distraction than an affair.

John Armstrong: Don't blame Parata for this one

Does Parata deserve to be pilloried after Phillipstown School's triumph in the courts? The answer is that such a judgment could catch any minister out, writes John Armstrong.

Claire Trevett: Cunliffe full of thanks and promises, with caveat

He stood before them, like Rafiki in the Lion King holding aloft the precious Simba. In this case, Simba was 20 minutes of flattery and a ream of promises.

Claire Trevett: PM makes little headway as he courts French President

Prime Minister John Key gave New Zealand wine to the Queen and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Portfolio reshuffle ticks boxes

Before becoming Labour's new leader, David Cunliffe promised he would reshuffle jobs and rankings in the caucus based on 'meritocracy' writes John Armstrong.

Audrey Young: Wow factor missing from the conference of bright ideas

Conference 2013 was meant to be the conference of good ideas. Political editor Audrey Young looks at whether it delivered.

John Armstrong: National interest takes second place

Any faint hope that the politicians might agree to put the national interest ahead of petty politics has soured faster than a glass of milk in the hot sun.

Bryce Edwards: Political roundup: The bullying of the media

It's hard not to get the impression that the Government and public servants are bullying journalists, writes Bryce Edwards.

Brian Rudman: Big Brother's agents keep bumbling on

The crisis rapidly enveloping John Key's Government is deliciously highlighting that our present masters are carrying on an old tradition - bumbling, writes Brian Rudman.

Bryce Edwards: Debating Labour's 'racist' housing policy

The policy is very much in tune with efforts by the Greens and NZ First to stoke up resentment about certain 'foreigners' taking over the country, writes Bryce Edwards.

Bryce Edwards: The angry parliamentary press gallery

Political journalists are livid, writes Bryce Edwards.They're angry with the Government and the arrangements that have led to the state surveillance of journalists.

John Armstrong: Violation speaks ill of our democracy

That someone working for Parliamentary Service could consider it ok to release a Press Gallery journalist's phone records truly beggars belief, writes John Armstrong.

Bryce Edwards: Democracy under attack, again

Nicky Hager's revelations and allegations suggest that the Defence Force is now monitoring New Zealand journalists, writes Bryce Edwards.

Bryce Edwards: The rich get richer (and more powerful)

Two new publications illustrate the immense power and wealth that is concentrated amongst a miniscule group of NZ businesspeople, writes Bryce Edwards.