Some have always reckoned National's target of surplus by 2014-15 was "fairyland", but oh no said John Key and Bill English, don't you worry. Now Alan Bollard has joined the naysayers, National has to realise just what's at stake
Read More2011 election
The Beehive Christmas list 2011 – Ho ho ho!
Lookee here, Santa has come early for all those boys and girls in parliament. So what did he bring the politicians? Did they get what they wanted – and what they deserved? Let's sneak a cheeky peak
Read MoreSpecial votes and the DPB parents factor
With the specials about to be announced, what are the ramifications for the new government? And what's likely to happen next?
Read MoreI've just been internalising a really complicated situation in my head
The news declared that the National Party had had a 'historic' election victory on Saturday but, if that was true, National Party people would be looking happier. The reality is much more complicated
Read MoreElection results as they come in
Get the latest election information as it becomes available, without having to watch the box
Read MoreMarginal machinations: The seats to watch
Let's take a look at the seats you might want to take a look at tomorrow night
Read MoreThe big wheels are turning to National - my last day summary
Only hours to go, so let's take a run through all the parties and see where we stand. You've got to say, there are a lot of known unknowns
Read MoreThe smart picks for the Maori electorates
Picking winners in the Maori electorates isn't an easy game. The Pundits are sometimes guilty of picking the losing horse and the polls tend to do no better. Today guest Pundit Morgan Godfery offers his picks in the Maori seats
Read MoreThe world is a (TV) stage – Key and Goff the players
In the final week of the election campaign, it's all about set-pieces, especially on television. Can the main leaders keep their heads and hit their marks as the pressure hits fever pitch?
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 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
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 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 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 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 MoreOr are we heading for another 1963?
Looking back over New Zealand elections past, 1963 is another with a familiar look about it
Read More2002 repeat? Nah, it's 1951 all over again
If we want to gain insight into this election by looking at elections past, we have to look way back – to the last time National was as dominant in the polls, to a time with some uncanny similarities
Read MoreEyes off the ball while their eyes will be on the ball
National are starting to act like they've got the election in the bag - and if they weren't confident enough already, the Rugby World Cup is just another thing in their favour
Read MoreDavid Parker in Epsom – stepping up or giving up?
David Parker has been touted as a future Labour leader, so what does his decision to stand in Epsom tell us about his ambitions?
Read MoreYou know what really grinds my gears?
In which your humble author vents his spleen indiscriminately about things that happen to be in the news.
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