It hasn't been the most scintillating of election campaigns, but is it really necessary to rate the sex appeal of our politicians in an effort to enliven proceedings?
Read MoreElection 2011
The Greens' double digit strategy
The Greens' success could be down to Labour's struggles or a sign of the times. But it could also be down to a carefully crafted game plan that seems to be pushing all the right buttons
Read MoreThe battle for Tamaki Makaurau
Organisation will be key to winning the Maori seat on the Auckland isthmus. But guest Pundit Morgan Godfery says even Labour's well-oiled turn-out machine will find Pita Sharples tough to topple
Read MoreIs it the right time to sell assets? Lessons from the past
Even if you think it's smart to stimulate the sharemarket and create some capital, is it the right time to sell portions of our state assets? It's a telling question and you'll be surprised who asked it
Read MoreSpreadsheet Troopers: The Battle Rages On
National aggressively points the finger at Labour while admitting $2.6b in mistakes under its breath.
Read MoreWinston Peters' last roll of the dice: bugger 'em all
It's his way or the highway for Winston Peters, after a speech today ruling New Zealand First out of government. Either the disgruntled rally to his flag or he's history
Read MoreHow big is the hole in Key’s “$17b hole”?
The “show me the money” costings war is a credibility test for both John Key and Phil Goff
Read MoreLabour's bubble burst, but what's this amongst the minors?
National is still defying gravity in the first polls of the campaign proper. But there are talking points emerging on the right and potential decisions looming for John Key
Read MoreNo crime. No celebrities. Just intelligent local TV. Is it too much to ask?
TVNZ 7 will end in June 2012 when its funding runs out. This will make NZ the only developed country without a Public Service Broadcaster, but it doesn't have to be this way
Read MoreQuick thoughts on National's welfare policy
Is National really what it seems on welfare reform? I don't know about you, but I'm getting really mixed messages. I'm also not sure the second child/one year policy will survive the election
Read MoreBrighter future report: Two child welfare queens should flunk job interviews
How much breeding counts as “breeding for a business?” And what’s in a “work requirement?” The answers may surprise.
Read MoreElection Debate 1: My verdict
Remember the Bush-Gore debates in 2000? We may see the same thing in NZ with the 2011 Election debates. Goff would have surpassed the expectations of many, but that doesn't necessarily win elections
Read MoreMore Bad Poll Reporting
Reid Research runs a good poll. Pity TV3’s reporting of it doesn't match.
Read MoreFinally, we see the elephant in the room
A question to Q+A about those welfare bludgers emphasises why the conversation about superannuation reform is so vital... but also comes with risk
Read MoreLabour launches for Election 2011... or does it?
Labour's big bang campaign strategy is high risk... But is there a bigger plan at play here?
Read MoreACT: The Education President?
Through the looking glass with ACT’s Stephen Whittington, to a world where rich folk form a political party that exists only to help poor folk.
Read MoreWhy Epsom matters - a lesson in reading billboards
National, Labour, the Greens and ACT have all set out on different routes to victory in the country's toriest seat. The billboards dotted around the electorate lay the strategies bare
Read MoreCampaign 2011 begins: Ta da, the big issues are here
At last, some major policy announcements. And not just any old BPAs, but arguably the biggest ones of all -- savings and wages. Two sides of the same indebted coin and at the heart of building a prosperous New Zealand
Read MoreThe battle for the north – Hone's close call
Hone Harawira hung onto Te Tai Tokerau in the June by-election after he left the Maori Party. But things have changed since then, which means Mana can take nothing for granted
Read MorePolling update: Labour's loss is Greens' gain
Three new polls reinforce an unchanging overall political landscape and underscore a recent trend that is bad for Labour, good for the Greens, and bad for the left generally
Read More