Changes to parliamentary procedure that Simon Bridges helped craft and then explicitly championed while in Government now appear to be bad for National in opposition. So Simon Bridges thinks that they are the worst attack on democratic rights we have ever seen.
Read MoreNational Party
This much we know: It's a different kind of drag race
Amidst a pletohora of speculation around the government coalition talks, this weekend's final results made one thing very clear and Winston Peters knows it
Read MoreA worry-wort's guide to Election 17 - the Majors
While we wait for the specials to be counted and negotiations to begin, we can review what happened in Election 2017. A determinedly glass half-empty view of the results shows the big two parties have plenty to fret about
Read MoreIt's not the crime, it's the coverup
The story of Aaron Gilmore ... sorry, Todd Barclay's ... behaviour towards his electorate staff has just got a lot more interesting, as new details about the efforts to cover it up emerge. Might the Police have reason to again become interested in it?
Read MoreIt's a Sicilian message
Alfred Ngaro appears to think the Government can stop its critics taking part in government programmes. That's not just wrong from a political morality standpoint, it's flat out illegal.
Read MoreNational's 'right track' strategy for Election 2017
The rights and wrongs of National's election strategy will come down to three main points... and coalition partners
Read MoreLessons from the weekend of politics
A few takeaways from the local body elections, including lessons for Labour and National and the start of 'The Phil & Bill Show'. Whoooo will win?
Read MoreAnd we're off! Policy & polls to start 2016
A look at the polls and strategies as the parliamentary year gets under way...
Read MoreOpponents of the TPP have been vague about their alternative
It’s time for opponents of the TPP to stop the gesture politics and answer some questions - like what is the alternative you propose? Do you really believe we can stay out of the TPP on our own? And do you want to pull out of the agreement after it is signed?
Read MoreNo Victoria, the machines aren’t taking our jobs
Keep it in perspective, eh?
National's attempt to downplay economic concerns is like telling the All Blacks not to worry about playing without their front row
Read MoreHuffing and puffing at houses: Third term straw
National has done something so that it looks like it's doing something about Auckland housing. But it reeks of third term-itis when you pretend you're fixing a problem when you're merely tinkering
Read MoreThree signs that National knows Simon Bridges did wrong
Red sky at night, shepherd's delight. John Key spinning obfuscatory defence lines, Bridges warning.
Read MoreHe's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy
Repeat after me: the public service is not a political party's election policy research unit, the public service is not a political party's election policy research unit, the public service is not a political party's election policy research unit.
Read MoreFortune cookies for all parties in Northland
The loudest message went to National. The loudest clap was for Winston (not NZ First). But each party can take fortune cookies from the result in Northland this weekend.
First National. The secret of John Key's Teflon popularity; 'don’t be what we know you really are - Tories.' When National inhabits the centre ground, and behaves like a Labour-lite government, they're hard to beat.
After the rain has fallen: What does Northland mean?
Is the Northland by-election pothole just a flat tyre for National or is it a sign this political vehicle is running out of gas? Here are two things to keep an eye on once Winston's tempest has passed
Read MoreTime To Rejoyce? A Northland perspective
A denizen of the Far North observes who got things right – and who got things very wrong – in the by-election
Read MoreA post-Northland mea culpa
Goddam it - Winston Peters went and made a complete fool out of me. Did he have to do it so publicly?
Read MoreProcess, not pork the problem for National
Matthew Hooton’s jihad against Imam Steven Joyce and his pork-barrel Muldonism is legendary.
But in his desperation to find National party flag-bearers to fight the pork-pushers, he’s picked the wrong martyr.
Read MoreOh go up to the king, and the sky is falling in
Even if National loses the Northland by-election (which I don't think it will), things won't change quite as much as voters are being told they will. So why all the forecasts of pestilence, blasting, mildew and locusts if Winston Peters wins?
Read More