Latest from Claire Trevett on politics

Claire Trevett: Same-sex marriage foes find togetherness

If MPs were following the leaders, the leaders were probably following the polls which had started to show greater support for the proposal, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Infighting puts Maori Party neck on the line

Fans of the rather spectacular David Attenborough Africa series will have observed similarities between the great giraffe turf war in that programme and the battle underway in the Maori Party.

Claire Trevett: Teapot timely reminder on dispensing truth

There is a different truth creed for politicians than witnesses in court, where the usual vow is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Conservation changes a hard sell for National

Claire Trevett says when it comes to delivering bad news about the fauna and flora of NZ, the same advice applies as to tramping near fairy tern nesting sites: tread with meticulous care.

Claire Trevett: Room for improvement in Parliament

By far the busiest room in Parliament is the Room for Improvement, writes Claire Trevett. The room is somewhat like a detention room and of late its revolving door has fanned the rest of Parliament's inhabitants.

Claire Trevett: Key doffs his sombrero for a taxing time

While he was away it seems the tax officials went to play with their half-baked monetary schemes, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Key courts Chile with tipple tale

Prime Minister John Key went a tad off-script in a speech in Santiago yesterday, and delivered New Zealand's economic history via a parable of wine.

Claire Trevett: If the hat fits - sombrero gift shows progress in Key's Colombia talks

Claire Trevett: Leaders swap praise and promises

Claire Trevett: The trials and tribulations of a sole charge cop

Anybody interested in the realities of being a sole-charge police officer should visit the Facebook page of Houhora's Senior Constable Tracee Knowler, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Key's nightmare is Dotcom's sweet dream

Claire Trevett writes: "John Key caved in and did something vaguely resembling the Gangnam Dance - prompting one observer to sum it up thus: "I bloody love that we have a Prime Minister who is not afraid to make a tit of himself.""

Claire Trevett: Dream over for the man who would be Speaker

It is never easy seeing a dream lie in shreds, and for all the inevitability, the end of National MP Tau Henare's tilt to be Speaker was no exception, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Polls turn Labour's morale boost into giant leap

It was one small step for the Labour Party, but in terms of a morale boost it was one giant leap for party leader David Shearer, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Lessons in the political art of smilin' and lovin' it

A good slogan can go a long way, as Prime Minister John Key was keen to point out this week, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Leadership battle shows protagonists' other sides

Cunliffe supporters are now questioning what he did wrong, given there was no overt leadership challenge, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Being nice a mixed blessing in game of cunning

Despite Key's claims that he was not bothered about the happenings in Labour, he appeared to be paying a great deal of attention indeed, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Are politicians 'wowsers' on alcohol?

The promise to deal with alcopops has been reduced to a provision that will allow a future government to act on them at some unspecified time, writes Claire Trevett.

Claire Trevett: Lesson for Sheriff Shearer: make sure gun loaded

The saga of the Ministry of Social Development's failings certainly drew attention away from that ugly wart of what John Key knew and when about Kim Dotcom, writes Claire Trevett.