Election 08

The battle is over and National Party leader John Key has been elected as the new Prime Minister of New Zealand. Now the shape of the next government is being decided as parties gather for coalition talks. Get all the latest news, opinions and poll results here as they come to hand.

NZ Election 08 - Full Coverage

National more popular than on election night - poll

A year after the elections, the popularity of Prime Minister John Key and his National Government remains high.

October 31, 2009, 9:01 am

Key remains upbeat over Japan trade deal
Prime Minister John Key delighted his Japanese counterpart's wife with a gifted All Blacks jersey and emerged positive about gradual progress towards a free trade agreement.
October 30, 2009, 4:49 am
Water assets won't be privatised, Parliament told
Council water supply systems won't be privatised under proposed changes to the Local Government Act, Parliament was told today.
October 29, 2009, 2:01 pm
FTA with India focus for Mfat
A negotiating team is standing by to rush to India for free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, but slow and steady will win the race, officials say.
October 29, 2009, 10:57 am
Maori Party warns of reaction to DNA samples
The Maori Party is warning young Maori will fight back against police trying to take a DNA swab.
October 29, 2009, 6:37 am
Key has no issue with TVNZ's promo
Prime Minister John Key has just one beef with a Television New Zealand promo featuring Finance Minister Bill English -- "they didn't ask me".
October 29, 2009, 6:34 am
PM eyes progress on Japan trade deal
Prime Minister John Key is hopeful he can make progress on a free trade agreement (FTA) with his recently-elected Japanese counterpart Yukio Hatoyama when they hold their first official talks in Tokyo tonight.
October 29, 2009, 4:44 am
TVNZ should pull National "propaganda" ad - Labour
Labour has written to TVNZ asking it to pull an ad it says gives National about $1 million in free publicity.
October 28, 2009, 4:22 pm
Political marketing expert shocked by TVNZ 7 English ad
A political marketing expert says a TVNZ 7 ad featuring Finance Minister Bill English looked so much like a party political broadcast she thought the rules had changed.
October 28, 2009, 2:39 pm
TVNZ defends English promo
TVNZ's digital services boss says a programme promotion fronted by Finance Minister Bill English is not a political plug.
October 28, 2009, 7:02 am
English laughs off TV ad complaint
Finance Minister Bill English says he had no influence over a promotion for a television show which Labour says could be mistaken for a National Party political broadcast.
October 28, 2009, 5:01 am
Smith seeks answers from ETS critics
Climate Change Minister Nick Smith says the Government's emissions trading scheme strikes a "good balance" between providing jobs for New Zealanders reducing emissions.
October 28, 2009, 4:56 am
Labour says TVNZ promo looks like an ad for National
A promotion for a television show featuring Finance Minister Bill English could be mistaken for a party political broadcast, Labour says.
October 27, 2009, 4:01 pm
NZ signs FTA with Malaysia
Businesses are being urged to take advantage of trade inroads in Asia, including the signing of a deal with Malaysia overnight, considering the strong rate of growth of Asian economies.
October 27, 2009, 3:13 pm
Decisions on council governance "far reaching" - Hide
Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said "far-reaching" decisions made by Cabinet today over the running of local authorities will be made public this week.
October 27, 2009, 1:28 pm
Asia a big opportunity for exporters
Businesses are being urged to take advantage of trade inroads in Asia, including the signing of a deal with Malaysia overnight, considering the strong rate of growth of Asian economies.
October 27, 2009, 1:12 pm
Greens call for labelling of trans-fat in foods
New Zealanders' health is being put at risk by a decision not to regulate a harmful type of fat, the Green Party says.
October 27, 2009, 12:30 pm
Mixed reaction to Hide backdown on council spending
A softening of stance by Local Government Minister Rodney Hide on council spending has drawn a mixed response from local authority representatives.
October 27, 2009, 6:58 am
Leftist, ex-president head for Uruguay vote run-off
MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) - Former left-wing guerrilla fighter Jose Mujica led Uruguay's presidential election on Sunday but was headed for a run-off against a conservative rival to steer one of Latin America's most stable economies.
October 26, 2009, 5:03 pm