The Prime Minister might get to choose who sits where in the Cabinet and on his front bench, but it seems National's caucus has a far more anarchic pecking order - one based on speed and punctuality just once every three years.

The 10-hour raid on Nicky Hager's house this week gives us a tasty preview of how police could be roped into doing the bidding for higher powers, says Dita de Boni.

If New Zealand decides to send forces to support an international response to the "Islamic State" in Iraq and Syria (Isis), the decision will be made by the Government not Parliament, the Prime Minister has explained.

John Key has been officially sworn in as Prime Minister in a ceremony at Government House.

Any commitment of military assistance to counter Islamic State militants in Iraq should not make NZ more of a target for terrorism, Prime Minister John Key says.

Maggie Barry’s first official act after being named the new Conservation Minister was to be pecked in the face by a world-famous bird.

Planning policies have probably increased inequality amongst New Zealanders more than any other policies through higher housing costs Finance Minister Bill English says.

PM says any plan to give assistance to efforts against militants will probably be debated in Parliament but the ultimate decision is the Government's alone.

The most striking and welcome feature of the Cabinet named yesterday is the spreading of responsibility for the security intelligence agencies.

When it comes to reshuffling their Cabinets, prime ministers need to follow one maxim: if they think it ain't broke then it probably needs fixing.

Prime Minister John Key's reshuffle has seen the ascension of Paula Bennett to become National's highest ranked woman - up from nine to five on the front bench.

Paula Bennett, Jonathan Coleman, Amy Adams and Simon Bridges have consolidated their status as the National Government’s rising stars in John Key’s new Cabinet.

Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell's appointment to head the newly rebranded Maori Development portfolio reflects a new focus for what used to be Maori Affairs, Prime Minister John Key says.

Maori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell has been appointed as a Minister after his party inked its confidence and supply deal with National this afternoon.

Prime Minister John Key signed two insurance agreements yesterday in the form of confidence and supply deals with Act and United Future.

NZ's elite SAS personnel aren't yet on standby for deployment to combat Islamic State militants - but the PM can't rule out sending them in if asked.

Peter Dunne says he hopes his new deal with the National-led Government will enable him to knock some "rough edges" off National’s legislative agenda.

Prime Minister John Key is expecting to receive advice over the coming weeks on further assistance New Zealand could offer to help counter the terrorist group Isis.

Coalition deals to form the next government will be signed this week, Prime Minister John Key says.

The Maori Party expects to have a confidence and supply deal to put to its party members next week, co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell said last night after talks with the National Party leadership.

National has farewelled departing MPs at Parliament this morning and welcomed its new faces.

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.

Act's sole MP David Seymour will meet John Key at Parliament today with a wishlist for a confidence and supply agreement, including for him to become a minister.

Fashion is about self-expression, individuality, it is a way of communicating with the world around you.

Prime Minister John Key says his former adviser and National Party staffer Jason Ede was not forced out of his job in response to the Dirty Politics scandal.

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