Bill English somehow neglected to mention New Zealand First in his press statement yesterday decrying the "big spending" promises made by Labour, the Greens and Internet Mana.

National is promising grants for first-home buyers on modest incomes will be doubled - to up to $20k for a couple buying a newly built home - if it is re-elected next month.

National has just announced $100 million over four years for new urban cycleways, as Labour and the Greens promise to eclipse that investment.

A multimillion-dollar taxpayer-funded cash injection for Team NZ's next bid to win the Auld Mug is most likely under a National-led Government.

John Armstrong looks at the PM's change of tactics as he tries to deal with the continuing fallout from the 'Dirty Politics' scandal.

Whatever voters do with the private emails an unidentified hacker has made public, they are better informed.

Embattled Judith Collins emerged unrepentant yesterday and announced she would not be stepping down after a political week from hell.

The writ has been written, and the 2014 election campaign has begun. No longer can you sit idly by and ignore the issues of the day, writes Ben Uffindell.

Cameron Slater and his Whale Oil Beef Hooked website have some passionate advocates. But Slater presents some risks as part of a public relations strategy.

New Zealand's economic recovery is tentatively under way, albeit with a few wobbles.

As soon as he stepped out of the chauffeur-driven BMW, he was on the back foot.

Prime Minister John Key yesterday hit back hard over the Dirty Politics allegations against him and his Government.

Primary school teachers and principals have voted overwhelmingly to reject the Government's flagship education policy.

Embattled Justice Minister Judith Collins has surfaced visiting an online retailer in Mangere but refused to comment on claims about her links with blogger Cameron Slater.

The inspector-general of Intelligence and Security's decision to investigate the release of SIS documents to Cameron Slater is "hugely significant", writes John Armstrong.

Key figures at the centre of the Dirty Politics furore including beleaguered Justice Minister Judith Collins were yesterday avoiding media but retained at least some support from voters and family yesterday.

Labour has gone for the heartstrings in TV ads to be aired today while National has taken a more light-hearted approach as the on-screen political campaign begins.

John Key has put Judith Collins on her second final warning in five months over her "unwise" collusion with Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater.

In health, the election has become a bidding war focused on the new centre ground of free doctor visits.

National has boosted its Porkometer tally by almost $600 million in little more than a week with plans to spend up on schools, hospices and cycleways.

John Key damned 'News of the World'-style tactics during the 'teapot tapes' saga but shrugs off his adviser's infiltration of Labour Party records, writes Brian Rudman.

John Armstrong writes: Huge cracks suddenly appeared yesterday in the wall of denial erected by the National Party to shield itself from the damaging allegations.

Judith Collins was "unwise" to pass details of a public servant to blogger Cameron Slater and she is now on her last chance, Prime Minister John Key says.

With a surplus in his sights this year, Finance Minister Bill English has confirmed his Government has budgeted for tax cuts some time over the next four years

The officer who headed the 'Paintergate' and 'Teapot Tapes' inquiries is assessing a complaint over the hacking of Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater's computer.

Voters comparing social policies at this election have a clear choice: "Unrelenting focus on work" with National, or a softer line if Labour wins.

The ex-prostitute who dug dirt for Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater offered up personal information about a top businessman and other high-profile public figures.

Government figures continued to come under pressure over Dirty Politics allegations yesterday, with Justice Minister Judith Collins facing calls for her resignation.