The biggest donor to Act New Zealand says he gave the money to Don Brash and John Banks so they could stop special treatment for Maori who were "either in jail or on welfare".
Make no mistake. Prime Minister John Key will dump the Hon John Archibald Banks QSO CNZM from his ministry if circumstances so dictate.
Act New Zealand leader John Banks asked for a $50,000 political donation to be split into two parts so it could be made anonymously, says Kim Dotcom and one other witness.
With work now starting on the blueprint for the first batch of "charter" schools, the scene would seem to have been set for a real ding-dong battle as opponents try to mobilise the only weapon they have to halt or at least delay the concept becoming reality - public opinion.
The word "reform" drips readily off the tongues of politicians.
Former Act MP Gerrard Eckhoff, of The Half Mile, Alexandra, explores why the party's support has plummeted.
Act New Zealand leader Don Brash was forced into defensive mode over the so-called teapot tapes during last night's TVNZ minor parties leaders' debate as NZ First's Winston Peters challenged Prime Minister John Key to come clean over the incident.
Act New Zealand finally launched its election campaign yesterday after it became clear last week why the party was waiting until the last minute.
Act has announced plans to overhaul the "Frankenstein legislation'' it says the Resource Management Act (RMA) has become.
Act New Zealand leader Don Brash has dismissed as "garbage" suggestions that John Banks is vetting his speeches, after claims he had ditched a speech on welfare at Mr Banks' insistence.
Act New Zealand MP Hilary Calvert was philosophical yesterday despite being dumped from the party list for November's election less than a year after entering Parliament.
Dunedin's Act New Zealand MP Hilary Calvert last night endorsed her party's controversial newspaper campaign criticising Maori rights, saying the advertisements aimed to spark debate and "it's good to have some things talked about".
Act New Zealand members were yesterday congratulating themselves that a change of leadership had brought a new energy and enthusiasm to a political party many voters had written off.
Act New Zealand's newest MP, Dunedin's Hilary Calvert, has an interest in 23 properties and 28 companies - but is keeping quiet on how much she is worth.
A growing perception that Act New Zealand was not achieving its aims started to worry some of the MPs who had so far relied on Rodney Hide holding Epsom to keep their seats in Parliament. ...
If the law is an ass, then Parliament's rules are sometimes as stubborn and stupid as a pack of mules.
The only colour in the small apartment from which Dr Don Brash plotted the downfall of Rodney Hide is three red cushions.
The political landscape stretching predictably out before the November 26 election with barely a wrinkle in sight just got more interesting - or at least unpredictable.
Don Brash looks certain to become the new Act leader, with the party's newest MP, Hilary Calvert, switching sides yesterday after a private meeting in Dr Brash's Auckland apartment.
The symbolism of an Easter uprising might be lost on most people without some knowledge of British history, but not, it seems on Don Brash, erstwhile leader of the National Party, hopeful leader of the Act New Zealand party, and possible leader of a new political party.