Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says he is not ruling out extending an olive branch to Mana leader Hone Harawira - but won't say if he could work with him again.

The two front-runners for the Waiariki seat say there are no hard feelings as they battle for the crucial electorate that could determine any Maori political gains.

The race for the crucial Te Tai Tokerau electorate took a dramatic turn last night when a Maori Television poll revealed the two leading candidates are neck and neck.

Te Ururoa Flavell is campaigning at university, and it has clearly unleashed the inner teacher in him.

The Maori Party would make a warrant of fitness for all rental properties compulsory within three years if it gets into government.

David Cunliffe is sticking by his decision to rule out the Maori Party in his government, but will not say if Labour would rather go back into Opposition than back down.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says Labour's David Cunliffe may have done himself out of a chance of becoming Prime Minister by ruling out the Maori Party.

Maori Television says there will be no job losses at its news show Te Kaea and changes at the station have been put on hold.

Winston Peters would not state a preference for the next Prime Minister during tonight's minor leader's debate - and Colin Craig sought to use it against him.

Minor parties will almost certainly make up part of the next Government and the leaders are facing off over dinner tonight. Click here for the latest updates.

Maori Party founder Tariana Turia and former Governor-General and National Party Prime Minister Sir Keith Holyoake feature prominently as political heroes.

Teacher and mother of nine Marama Fox and former party parliamentary staffer Chis Mckenzie are leading the Maori Party's party list behind Te Ururoa Flavell.

Prime Minister John Key said abolishing the Maori seats would rip the country apart and attract "hikois from hell".

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell says that Labour ruling out the Internet-Mana Party from ministerial posts shows the importance of the Maori Party sitting with the Government of the day.

Labour and the Green Party have conceded that a capital gains tax would not be a "panacea" for New Zealand's unaffordable housing crisis.

Retiring National MP Tau Henare fondly remembers accusing the Duke of Edinburgh of not doing anything and inviting the French Prime Minister to Apec - France is not a member.

A minimum hourly wage of $18.80, free doctors' visits for those under 18, and a warrant of fitness for all rental homes are among the election pledges of the Maori Party.

This gaming of the system is not new, writes Brian Rudman. What is different this election is that instead of it being nudge-nudge, wink-wink, it's become formalised.

New Herald poll shows Internet-Mana would get two MPs, as their success eats into the Greens vote while National is still well ahead of Labour.

With 100 days to go until election day on September 20, the political parties - no doubt fibbing through clenched teeth - profess to be ready. Or close enough.

The Green Party is challenging the PM to reveal how much his party made from 53 "Cabinet Club" meetings at which attendees paid thousands of dollars to meet him.

John Key says his attendance at a fundraising dinner for the Maori Party had no strings attached and did not mean a guarantee it will go with National over Labour after the 2014 election.

John Key helped the Maori Party throw a $5000-a-seat fundraiser at which diners at the event were promised the chance to "chat confidentially" with the Prime Minister.