It came as something of a shock to get off the plane after a week in New York to hear calls for a state of emergency to be declared in safe little old New Zealand.

New Zealand First is denying claims by Chinese New Zealand leaders that an op-ed slamming Chinese immigration was actually a PR stunt by the party.

COMMENT: With every passing week, it becomes more likely that New Zealand First will decide the next Government.

Our political correspondent ponders polls, cannabis and wiping student loans in return for public service in the regions.

We ask the New Zealand First leader if he's being a party pooper and a wet blanket over the government's aspirational goal of a predator-free New Zealand by 2050.

COMMENT: Debate over Brexit, which began a year ago, has been fierce with no political punches being pulled, writes Barry Soper.

Britain leaving the European Union is the best chance to reverse immigration restrictions on New Zealanders, NZ First leader Winston Peters says.

NZ First's parliamentary rookie has been described as a 'survivor'. She talks to political reporter Nicholas Jones.

Calling somebody Trumpesque has become the insult du jour in Parliament, way up there with calling somebody Muldoonist or the offpsring of Margaret Thatcher.

COMMENT: The flag debate shows the sad truth that John Key does not care for history.

Ron Mark's attack on Melissa Lee's right to criticise her adopted country would have been poor in public but is appalling in Parliament.

The TPP could halve the number of major foreign investments in New Zealand which need to pass "good character" and business experience tests.

The Labour leader is only just in front of NZ First leader Peters in the preferred PM stakes but says he will not entertain the suggestion of sharing the top job.

He might prefer whisky and cigarettes to Churchill's port and cigars, but Winston Peters appears as passionate and energised as ever, writes John Armstrong.

John Armstrong writes: NZ First is marooned in a time bubble of the economic boom of the 1950s along with the suffocating social conformity of that era.

NZ First leader Winston Peters is considering a policy that would force new immigrants to take out personal medical insurance instead of using New Zealand's public healthcare system.

Winston Peters has said NZ First will grow its membership by tens of thousands of people by the next election or he will resign.

More changes in New Zealand First are on the way after the recent tussle for the deputy leadership and as many in the party look to the future.

National's latest bit of tinkering with its immigration policy will not solve the Auckland housing crisis. It will barely touch it.

Winston Peters says Labour has previously accused him of xenophobia and racism on the issue, but now "they've finally cottoned on to what is going on."

Growing a profile as a new MP is tougher than usual when your party is headed by a charismatic veteran in the midst of a great political triumph.

'He picked me up above his head and tried to throw me across the front entranceway.'

Winston Peters puts an to the speculation that has been swirling around Parliament all week and confirms new deputy.

New Zealand First members have refused to comment on whether deputy leader Tracey Martin faced a challenge for her position.

It is too early in Andrew Little's career as a party leader to be ruling out realistic answers to problems he would face if he leads Labour to power.

Prime Minister John Key says axing the $1000 kickstart grant to new KiwiSaver members in the Budget "will not make a blind bit of difference to the number of people who join".

NZ First MP Ron Mark has labelled the Iraqi Army "cowards" and questioned why New Zealand forces were being put at risk trying to train an army that did not want to fight.

Keeping silent about axing the $1000 kickstart payment for new KiwiSaver members, isn't a broken promise, strictly speaking, writes Audrey Young.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has taken Shane Jones, David Shearer and Winston Peters with him for his trip to the Cook Islands, where he is holding talks.

Stubbornness - born from a childhood that included numerous stints in foster homes - will be a trait that the country's newest MP brings to Parliament.