Pacific Islanders need to rediscover their entrepreneurial spirit, says the new minister tasked with turning around their job and education prospects.

Prime Minister John Key has accused Labour leader David Cunliffe of "misleading New Zealanders" over the $60-a-week child payment scheme.

The shame over Parliament non-attendance rests on the Prime Minister's shoulders, Hone Harawira says.

Labour's $60-a-week child payment scheme may produce less work and more babies, economists say.

Mana Party Leader Hone Harawira says Prime Minister John Key's criticism of his record of attendance at Parliament is "petty".

PM John Key has hinted National is working on its own legislation to extend paid parental leave - but will it match the 26 weeks Labour is pushing for?

Mana Party Leader and sole MP Hone Harawira is "taking the mickey’’ with his frequent absences from Parliament, Prime Minister John Key says.

National has managed to win praise from many of its usual critics - even the teacher unions - for its latest policy to try to lift student achievement.

The Government's creation of new roles in NZ schools - including 'executive principals' and 'expert teachers' - has been cautiously welcomed by the teaching profession.

Prime Minister John Key is on to a winner with his big plans to financially reward excellent teachers and principals, writes Audrey Young.

The National Government’s economic focus will be on paying down debt as Crown finance’s improve, Prime Minister John Key said this morning.

Read PM John Key's full state of the nation-style speech to the West Auckland Business Club.

The frenetic activity is all about National and Labour grappling with one another for the early election-year political initiative and - hopefully - retaining it, writes John Armstrong.

'A few things have changed.' National could work with Winston Peters' NZ First after this year's election, PM John Key has said - reversing his stance.

National's decision to potentially work with Winston Peters and New Zealand First after the next election is not without risk, writes Audrey Young.

Jami-Lee Ross, National MP for Botany, talks to Audrey Young.

Conservative leader Colin Craig is confident he can change people's minds about him, after a Herald poll found a third of respondents believed he was too extreme.

Government's coffers end up with $12 million from $33 million worth of assets ordered seized by judges.

Irreverent Cabinet Minister Paula Bennett has produced her own pink wine label on a chardonnay this Christmas called "Sip It Sweetie".

National's sitting MP in Kaikoura, Colin King, was ousted by his own party last night after a challenge from a local farmer at a selection meeting.

To suddenly talk about tax cuts would send a very mixed message about the need for continued restraint in government spending, writes John Armstrong.

National list MP Katrina Shanks will resign from Parliament in the New Year to work as chief executive of the Funeral Directors' Association.

'They just protest because that's all they've got to do all day.' PM John Key isn't fazed by protesters who tried to ruin the National Party Xmas party last night.

New Zealand educational achievement has dropped significantly in the core subjects of science, maths and reading, according to a OECD report.

From the earliest results, it was obvious Labour was going to win - and win big. It was slaughter, pure and simple, writes John Armstrong.

Editorial: Regulation appeals to governments because it is the easiest response to a problem. But each affects people's freedom in some way.

The last Labour Govt was ousted amid cries of "Nanny State". Five years on, the National-led Govt has also been accused of running people's lives.

Primary and intermediate school teachers are being overworked and some subjects are prioritised at the expense of others, says a study into National Standards.