Health Minister David Cunliffe is expected to be pressured to stand as leader of the Labour Party when New Zealand's oldest political party prepares for life without outgoing Prime Minister Helen Clark.
The new government is being urged to not back away from its plans to stimulate the economy through such measures as tax cuts, infrastructure spending and a relief package for workers made redundant.
The new National-led Government should consider introducing a standard taxation rate on investment earnings to make KiwiSaver schemes more attractive for people to join, a study by Mercer Consultants recommended.
The party vote is the most important vote for Saturday's election and that is why electors should carefully consider their preferences when casting their vote on Saturday.
The Labour and National parties will be keeping a close watch on the outcome in Dunedin South tomorrow, as the result will provide a major indication of how the fortunes of both parties have fared in the election.
National Party leader John Key showed yesterday he is a fast learner when he set off early from Auckland on a campaign tour that stretched from Auckland, Napier, Taupo, Nelson and Christchurch before heading back to Auckland.
Expect National to win the election tomorrow in a canter as electors vote for a change after nine years of a Labour-led administration.
Travelling by rail was the obvious choice to make when deciding to meet Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons for lunch in Auckland yesterday.
Prime Minister Helen Clark and National Party leader John Key were politeness personified last night when they participated in the final Television New Zealand leaders' debate of the 2008 election campaign.
Maori and Polynesian voters in South Auckland appear to be abandoning Labour in large numbers
Voters throughout most of the South Island are able to consider the merits of strategic voting as they weigh their options about which boxes to tick on Saturday.
Hats, handbags, high heels and of course horses were dominant features at the Ellerslie race meeting yesterday, when Taking the Pulse made a visit to the birdcage and beyond.
Prime Minister Helen Clark saved her best for last during the TV3 leaders' debate last night when she could point confidently to her record of leading a government during the past nine years with five different parties.
get Wang + Wong.
Political leaders will be out in force from this morning with only five days of campaigning left before voters determine who will be the government for the next three years.
The campaign trail in Auckland during the weekend was one of contrasts.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters faces a voter backlash in Tauranga that could prove terminal unless his party squeaks across the 5% threshold and he can return to Parliament through the party vote.
Much has been written about the need for New Zealand First leader Winston Peters to win Tauranga to ensure the return to Parliament of the party. However, Political Editor Dene Mackenzie finds that NZ First MP Ron Mark could be the "sleeper" for the party as he contests Rimutaka.
Missing National Gumboot Day in Taihape was an election campaign disappointment.
The Muirlea Rise winemaker in Martinborough was positively rude about Central Otago pinot noir when Taking the Pulse called to taste his hand-crafted wines.
