Jane Patterson

The prime minister has expressed her confidence in the border regime, and the government's ability to keep people in isolation facilities if they refuse to be tested.

Postal votes could potentially explode and number in the hundreds of thousands because of Covid-19 if the elderly and vulnerable cannot physically go to public polling booths.

There's an air of surrealism around Parliament today, with MPs unexpectedly finding themselves back in the Capital as a result of the election delay.

The decision is solely in the hands of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as parties, including coalition partner New Zealand First, line up to argue for a delay.

More than 50 people are in managed isolation at New Zealand's border facilities so they can attend the sentencing of the Christchurch gunman in person.

Power Play - Warnings another outbreak was bound to happen were not enough to prepare New Zealanders for the shock of seeing the country's largest city put back into level 3 lockdown.

Labour's campaign slogan "Let's Keep Moving" is hardly the most inspirational but reflects the conservative game plan - trade on the Covid response and stay on track. Video

Judith Collins is still shy of a month into the job but in her media blitz she and her arched eyebrows are everywhere, along with the party slogan "Strong team, More Jobs, Better Economy". Video

Video - New Zealand First and leader Winston Peters are up against it this year in the general elections if the polls are to be believed, but the political veteran shows no sign of giving up yet. Video

The Green Party has unveiled its housing plan which aims to get the record-high number of people off the social housing waiting list, while improving the size and quality of the rental market.

The Health Minister pulled no punches when responding to the findings of an inquiry into the major Covid privacy breach, describing the leak as "disgraceful and grubby". Video

Warning bells are being sounded about giving aspiring business people access to their KiwiSaver funds if they find themselves out of work.

National's leader says people will know she's joking when her "eyebrows go up" after being challenged about a false claim no-one escaped from prison under her watch as Corrections Minister. Video

NZ First says it was unhappy with the lack of options besides the jobs package and a lack of analysis - and wants a government buyout of the Tiwai Point smelter explored.

The National Party leader denies any dirty politics, saying the limited information she had was handed over in good faith an hour after she received it.

Power Play - Who will seize the day now National is a party looking for a leader? RNZ political editor Jane Patterson takes a look at a party that was supposed to be settling in to fight its election…

Head of the inquiry Michael Heron QC will have the power to require the production of documents, summon witnesses and question parties under oath if necessary.

The government has apologised to those at the centre of a major privacy breach as it moves to track down whoever is responsible.

The State Services Minister says the government will do everything it can to track down who is responsible for a massive privacy breach relating to New Zealand's active Covid cases.

The State Services Commission has been called in to make sure a "thorough investigation" is held.

Power Play - Both he and Ardern have come to the conclusion he's become too much of "distraction", and there's nowhere for a minister to go after that, Jane Patterson writes.

The voice of opposition to firearms law changes - Nicole McKee - could be a MP after the September election, having won a high place on the Act Party list.

Analysis - There is plenty of blame being passed around over the failure to test a large group released early from managed isolation for Covid-19, but the public is no nearer to finding out how or why…

Powerplay - Public confidence in New Zealand's border controls has been shattered, writes political editor Jane Patterson

Senior Labour ministers are playing down any influence coalition partner New Zealand First had on changes to firearms law, soon to be ushered through Parliament.