The joker in this year's political pack, Ben Uffindell, is claiming success in last weekend's election after his Civilian Party outpolled his "main opposition", Brendan Horan.

As the party licks its wounds after a demoralising election defeat, the Weekend Herald asked four commentators with inside knowledge for their diagnosis and suggested cure.

Breakdown of how unions and party members voted in last year’s Labour leadership election highlights how strongly Cunliffe preferred over Grant Robertson.

Notes taken in the Labour caucus room have emerged, having been hacked from the email account of some unwitting MP codenamed, "Lambshank". Toby Manhire investigates.

David Cunliffe has quelled speculation he was set to resign today and a spokesman said he would continue to “take soundings from colleagues and associates”.

While Labour was occupied with brow-smiting and vows of silence, the PM sailed into Labour territory for a bit more pillaging, writes Claire Trevett.

Labour leader David Cunliffe is understood to be taking time off to reconsider his political future after several of his key supporters in caucus withdrew support.

To point out the potential pitfalls in Labour's new method of changing and choosing its leader was to incur the usual wrath from the usual quarters, writes John Armstrong.

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira says he hasn't spoken to Kim Dotcom since election night.

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira broke his media silence last night, saying he remains comfortable with the work he did with Kim Dotcom in a political alliance.

Late Saturday night, while Labour Party workers were still cleaning up the blood from the worst electoral thrashing the party had received since 1922, leader David Cunliffe was busy on his computer trying to save his skin.

David Cunliffe has emerged from a marathon meeting of his caucus with little to say about his leadership other than to announce two party whips.

An extraordinary morning in the Labour Party's wing of Parliament Buildings and John Armstrong says there are only two words to describe it - absolute mayhem.

Labour leader pushes for early leadership contest but indicates he will not leave Parliament if he is ousted.

National will seek to forge a closer relationship with New Zealand First this term "on a case by case basis" despite Winston Peters' determination to lead the opposition, Prime Minister John Key says.

Labour MPs arriving at Parliament for caucus say any vote on the leadership should wait until after a thorough review of the election drubbing.

Labour MPs will demand David Cunliffe release potentially embarrassing internal polling results on his popularity to them in caucus.

Prime Minister John Key has been congratulated by US President Barack Obama on his re-election - though he nearly snubbed his call.

A healthy democracy needs two parties capable of providing good government. New Zealand is well served by National and Labour.

In Labour's worst defeat in 92 years, the party vote in central Auckland strongholds Mt Albert and Mt Roskill turned blue.

It will be like the first day of school when 29 new MPs, 15 of them from the National Party, turn up to various caucus meetings at Parliament today.

Investors in Genesis Energy, Mighty River Power and Meridian Energy were more than $600 million richer on paper at one point yesterday after their shares were boosted by National's decisive victory.

Steve Maharey writes: I could not fault the Labour Party's optimism over the last few weeks, while wondering if they inhabited the same New Zealand as the rest of us.

Aucklanders reportedly flocked to open homes on Sunday, surer of their spending power post-election.

The lowest-ranked NZ First MP is refusing to say what job he did before politics.

John Key says education reform, National's Home Start housing programme and the continuation of welfare reform are the three key areas to focus on.