Election 2011

The Greens' election campaign opened with a vitriolic attack on Prime Minister John Key and his Government from actor Robyn Malcolm, who savaged what she described as his preference for photo opportunities over tackling environmental and social problems.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has ruled out going into coalition with another party, but Labour leader Phil Goff won't rule out still trying to woo NZ First if the numbers allow it after election day.

Labour has opened its books on election promises but returning the Crown accounts to surplus by 2014-15 depends a lot on increased taxes and betting on increased returns from overseas investments.

Instead of getting down about the problems facing the country, former Gisborne man Gareth Hughes would rather do something about it. The Green MP talks to Christine Boyce of the Gisborne Herald about how growing up in Gisborne helped shape his foray into environmental work and politics.

Labour's economic plan will see New Zealand return to surplus by 2014-15 and will continue to pay off debt faster than National after that date.

Labour wants to establish a new non-commercial public broadcaster, using feedback from a proposed public debate on the form public broadcasting should take.

The Green Party wants to scrap the controversial National Standards, restrict class sizes to 20 and ban the sale of sweet drinks, lollies and chips at school.

Labour leader Phil Goff will attempt to silence Prime Miniser John Key's calls to "show me the money'' by providing further details today of Labour's spending and borrowing plans.

One of the "crunch issues" of the 2011 election was traversed in Queenstown last night, following a question from one of the younger members of the audience.

Did the Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks have it easy compared with an unemployed person trying to find work?