Labour and the Greens say they have dropped plans to cut electoral "deals" in marginal seats,

These are the high points from Labour and Greens' State of the Nation speeches this afternoon.

Andrew Little attacks Bill English, as he reveals his battle with prostate cancer left him determined to strive for a system fair for everyone.

Greens co-leader Metiria Turei's State of the Nation speech today focused on feminist themes.

Five National MPs have been given new roles by Prime Minister Bill English.

National MP for Rangitata Jo Goodhew will quit Parliament at the election after being dropped from Cabinet.

Bill English's arrival this afternoon was uneventful compared to his first Ratana visit in 2002 - also the first by a National Party leader.

Labour leader Andrew Little says the Maori Party is "effectively the Maori branch of the National Party."

Nearly 5000 people are now in the queue for social housing across the country.

Resignations by MPs has been pronounced since MMP began in 1996, of both of list and constituency MPs.

The European Union seems keen for a trade agreement with New Zealand.

Foreign Minister and East Coast Bays MP Murray McCully's office has been vandalised after New Zealand co-sponsored a UN resolution against Israeli settlements.

The Green Party are to contest the Mt Albert byelection, with a candidate to be selected in the New Year.

The National Party's decision not to contest the Mt Albert byelection can be well understood, but that does not make it right.

COMMENT: New PM finally gets to sit in the "highest-backed chair" at Cabinet unveiling.

National Party has waved the white flag in the upcoming Mt Albert byelection, with Labour accusing Bill English of "running scared" and daring him to call an early election.

Four new ministers feature in Prime Minister Bill English's first Cabinet reshuffle. They are Alfred Ngaro, Mark Mitchell, David Bennett and Jacqui Dean.

Bill English's Cabinet makeover has rewarded two of National's best young ministers with some heavy-lifting duties that will make or break their reputations.

PM Bill English's new Cabinet was a boon for Bridges, and others.

Bill English is expected to give big promotions to ministers Simon Bridges, Amy Adams, and Nikki Kaye, who is recovering from breast cancer.

National Party cabinet reshuffle- Rotorua MP Todd McClay remains Minister of Trade and Minister for State Owned Enterprises- He moves

COMMENT: It's always been my dream to be the interim Prime Minister. And now here I am. It feels...unreal. It feels...not quite real.

COMMENT: This is not a good time to come into the front line of a govt if you are a young, ambitious politician with all the attributes to be a great PM.

The new cabinet Prime Minister Bill English unveils tomorrow will be assembled with two objectives in mind.

Thirty years after homosexuality was legalised in New Zealand, gay and bisexual men with historic convictions may be pardoned.

COMMENT: Politics can be a nasty, thankless business, especially when you're the leader.

Foss' retirement announcement gives English four ministerial vacancies and 10 per cent of seats are up for change.

The National Party has participated in a High Court teleconference today regarding legal action against it by American rapper Eminem.

Paula Bennett talks to political editor Audrey Young about her new backroom role with the National Party caucus.