Sarah Campbell, a list candidate for the Alliance, writes about her frustration at the media ignoring small parties and the 5% threshold
Read MoreNational News Brief, Monday November 3
Vela family donation to United Future followed opposition to fishing restrictions; Greens want inquiry into Vela-New Zealand First relationship; banks promise to go easy on struggling mortgage-holders; Labour and National promise public spending to stimulate economy; Hell pizza's Sir Ed ads bad taste; and more
Read MoreObamamercial so schmaltzy, but send money now!
Obama's commandeering of prime time television pulled in 34 million viewers. The warning label should, however, read "only in America"
Read MoreThe virtue of losing
Why the left might be happy to see National win this election
Read MorePolicies to Upset the Purists
If National's only pretending to be 'centrist', it's a very good act.
Read MoreObama's big night and why it matters
Glimpse the intensity of a campaign rally and the racism that still pervades too much of America
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Friday October 31
Fighting escalates in Democratic Republic of Congo, tens of thousands flee homes; Japan announces major stimulus package; markets rally in Asia and Europe; bombings in India kill almost 50; and more
Read MoreNational News Brief, Friday October 31
Taxpayers pay to dig dirt on Key; more charges for Urewera accused; business confidence takes a tumble; workers get support from Labour and National; Port Otago to become South Island's biggest; Wellington trick-or-treaters face Vomit Man
Read MoreThere's actually only one John Key, just not the one on show
National's campaign is hiding a front bench full of 1990s-style free marketers behind John Key's well-scripted one-liners
Read MoreThose awkward political moments
It's all well and good to shout down your father-in-law over the so-called "anti-smacking bill", but why can't we debate political issues with people whose views we are not sure of?
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Thursday October 30
World markets regain some of recent losses; Wall St has one of its best-ever trading days; China latest to cut interest rates; bombs explode in Somalia; IMF to loan $25 billion to Hungary; and more
Read MoreNational News Brief, Thursday October 30
Labour's "neutron bomb" a fizzer, John Key not involved in H-fee scam; Labour to match National's credit crisis assistance plan; 'new evidence' in David Bain case; Contact offers incentives to keep customers; New Zealanders bad for the environment; and more
Read MoreGerry Brownlee and Winston Peters – as bad as each other?
As we all try to make sense of pressuring emails and undeclared shares, can't we agree that it's time for some real transparency?
Read MoreAfghanistan – Where is the exit?
As voters head to the polling booths in the United States and New Zealand, Americans are being promised a major review of military strategy in Afghanistan. As partners in that strategy, we should also ask ourselves: where is the exit?
Read MoreNational News Brief, Wednesday October 29
AXA freezes funds; Peters lobbied for Glenn; study finds hospital costs up, productivity down; the campaign promises keep coming; OE scheme extended; and more
Read MorePeter Dunne allows John Key to exhale as polls narrow
The polls are closing, making even the smallest parties significant players over the next two weeks
Read MoreWorld News Brief, Tuesday October 28
Syria fumes as US helicopter raid kills eight; China and Russia prepare for bi-lateral talks; South Korea slashes interest rates; Israel heading to the polls after coalition talks fails; and more
Read MoreThe name is the name of the game
Why is a woman changing her name still an issue in 2008?
Read MoreDunne for PM
Peter Dunne's cosying up with National is less ideological and more a practical reality of minor party survival, plus more poll analysis
Read MorePointing the Finger
Americans take a long, hard look at themselves over the credit crisis, but even now are reluctant to commit to more government regulation
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