The frenetic activity is all about National and Labour grappling with one another for the early election-year political initiative and - hopefully - retaining it, writes John Armstrong.

Hundreds of thousands of Auckland households face rates rises bigger than the 2.4 per cent average hike being proposed by Mayor Len Brown.

Labour has officially dropped its policies of having the first $5000 of earnings tax-free and of removing GST from fresh fruit and vegetables.

United Future leader Peter Dunne says he's moved on from last year's leaking scandal and says he's prepared to work with the Govt after this year's election.

'A few things have changed.' National could work with Winston Peters' NZ First after this year's election, PM John Key has said - reversing his stance.

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

Editorial: The PM's first move in election year is a cautious one. By naming the parties National could work with to form a third term govt - John Key has left his options open.

John Key has confirmed that United Future leader Peter Dunne will be reinstated as a minister, and says National could work with NZ First or the Conservative Party.

Opposition parties say they are readying themselves for an early election amid new speculation John Key will go to the polls in September or early October.

January's reputation as a political dead zone is getting a battering, writes Toby Manhire. The month is meant to be one of tumbleweed, interrupted only by the occasional burnt-sausage waft.

Kim Dotcom's new political party has had a bumpy start after a potential strategy document was leaked - leading to the rushed resignation of a journalist.

Parliamentary Press Gallery journalist Alastair Thompson has resigned from his role at Scoop after it was revealed that he was working for Kim Dotcom’s Internet Party.

Internet mogul Kim Dotcom has revealed the name of his new political party. And in typical Dotcom style, he announced the name on Twitter.

Labour's David Cunliffe faces a conundrum - how to convince New Zealand voters it's time to break away from the "old economic orthodoxies" when the data shows the country is poised for a relative boom, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

A select committee with a majority of National MPs has rejected Justice Minister Judith Collins' attempt to ban party workers wearing rosettes and streamers on election day.