Latest from NZ National Party

Fran O'Sullivan: Big Two part of Key plans for next year

The PM is factoring in the possibility of a visit by Barack Obama to NZ as one of the wild cards he has to consider in setting the date for next year's election.

MPs with most valuable land portfolios

In the second part of a Herald investigation, we look at the MPs' property rich list. The top ten MPs, what they own and why a Labour MP didn't declare her trusteeship.

MPs' loophole 'stings taxpayers'

A lobby group believes a loophole exposed by the Herald of MPs non-disclosure of properties held in superannuation schemes is 'stinging taxpayers in the pocket'.

How the property data was discovered

The <i>Herald</i>'s research into politicians' property holdings for this week's three-part series is the biggest data journalism project in New Zealand.

Editorial: Retiring Nats steal march on opponents

In any walk of life, ongoing renewal is critical. Any sports team, business or political party, however successful, risks being viewed as stale if it ignores this necessity for too long.

Claire Trevett: Party pruning begins but Labour men cling on

Spring has sprung and with it a focus on renewal among political parties, writes Claire Trevett. National MPs are obediently acting like deciduous trees.

How Key lost home loans bid

John Key has admitted he had to be persuaded to back off his bid to press the Reserve Bank into exempting first-home buyers from the banks' new loan rules.

English to give up Clutha seat

Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English is to give up his Clutha-Southland seat at the next election and stand as a list candidate.

Key: Conservative Party a possible coalition partner

PM's full speech to National Party's annual conference

New ideas high on agenda for Nats

Senior Government ministers Bill English and Steven Joyce say National Party members will be asked for policy ideas at the party conference in Nelson this weekend to take into next year's election.

Self-belief the winning ingredient

If Labour leader David Shearer wants a tip from a winner, former Prime Minister Helen Clark says her advice is always to "be yourself".

Act eyeing minister's seat

The Act Party wants National supporters to save it from oblivion at next year's election, telling them it needs not just one, but two Parliamentary seats.

One boat race? No worries

Brian Rudman: Shearer running scared over women in the House

Spy bill hits roadblock as Peters lays into Key's changes

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said his concerns about the bill had widened beyond the four he specified in his first reading.

Matt McCarten: Maori Party falter at Key's side

Matt McCarten says John Key must feel like he's in a B-grade horror movie where his prom dates keep coming to gruesome demises.

Fran O'Sullivan: Auckland lobby behind Key's about-turn

Prime Minister John Key's decision to suddenly back Auckland on big infrastructure investments wasn't simply designed to steal a march on his Labour opponents.