Despite some excitement in individual polls, the polls as a whole show National still well above 50%, and New Zealand First still a long way below 5%.
Read MorePoll of polls update, and some projections, too.
Time for a cup of tea, perhaps
The tea tape is making even sensible people like David Farrar say some pretty silly things. Lucky I'm here to put him back on course.
Read MoreGoverning alone - time to talk about power
Little more than a week out, National is still holding a majority in the polls. It's time to talk about what it means if that's how it winds up on election night
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 18
Mario Monti forms cabinet in Italy; markets remain sceptical of new Italian government; Obama tells Australian parliament US will take a long-term role in shaping Asia-Pacific; African leaders step up pressure on Somalian rebels; police discover "drug tunnel" stretching from Mexico to the US; and more
Read MoreLabour's bold play for the Maori vote
It took the Labour Party an age to release its Maori policy statement, but the wait may have been worth it. Guest Pundit Morgan Godfery discusses Labour's risky move
Read More5-0 be down here about the bodies, yo
The police "seizing" material from the news media isn't that big a deal. [Update: except for the bit that is ...]
Read MoreOut of a teapot and into hot water
John Key's famous cup of tea is at risk of leaving a sour taste as the story drags on and public opinion turns. But what does it mean for the election?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Wednesday November 16
At least 70 killed in latest Syrian protests; Arab League to suspend Syria, despite foreign minister warning against "dangerous step"; Italy bond yields again top 7%; Gillard wants to sell uranium to India; Calls for Burmese political prisoners to be released; Libyan tribal tensions grow after Qaddafi; and more
Read MorePM's referendum comments unwise and manipulative
John Key's decision to speak out against MMP smells of partisan greed and hubris. It also raises questions for women, Asian and Pasifika voters and about what his tactics have been all along
Read MoreIt's the little things that really don't matter
You can kiss an issues-based election campaign goodbye.
Read MoreIt's all about 2014
Natural and international disasters have absolved National of the usual competency tests, but do New Zealanders really want a single party majority government?
Read MoreThe Conversation
Here's my suggestion to politicians. If you want to plot the takeover of the world without people finding out about it, don't do it in a Newmarket Cafe.
Read MoreHow bad is it in Europe?
Italian bond yields have risen above the critical seven percent mark. So where does this leave Italy and what can the rest of Europe do?
Read MoreLucky, lucky Peters. But can Winston win?
Winston Peters wins the oxygen of media attention and gets back in the game. But do we really want him back? Or has his time passed?
Read MoreTime for a pre-emptive strike on Israel's itchy trigger
A pre-emptive strike on Iran will blow apart the Middle East, and Israel will suffer long and hard. Don't do it.
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday November 11
Greece appoints economist as new PM promising to pass EU package; Italy may follow suit with its own technocract PM; Italian bond yields soar; Asian markets fall over EU uncertainty; China posts massive trade surplus as imports fall; IAEA report says Iran building nuclear weapon; Iran condemns report while Russia rejects santions call; Palestine expected to lose Security Council vote on statehood; and more
Read MoreEpsom: ACT dependent on political welfare
The Epsom candidates' debate last night drew out the bizarreness of a race where the frontrunner would rather lose and the ACT candidate is rallying behind the leader of another party. At least the unacknowledged presence in this race was finally discussed by name
Read MoreWhat did you do in the 2011 campaign, Grandad?
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 MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday November 10
Italy's borrowing rate passes 7 percent; investors say Italy may be next domino to fall in European debt crisis; Chinese inflation falls for third consecutive month; South Korea to resume humanitarian aid to North Korea; flood relief in Pakistan drying up but need still great; opposition candidate boycotts polling in run-up to Liberian election; and more
Read MoreThe 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
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