Jane Patterson

The new National Party leader has made his pitch to voters for the position of prime minister in a speech in Bay of Plenty today, in the rural community of Te Puna where he grew up.

After hammering out a deal over commercial rents with Labour, New Zealand First is now publicly criticising some of the measures its coalition partner had been pushing for.

Tensions flared over race relations again today at Parliament, with National MP Judith Collins saying questions about treaty partnership and government procurement were "stupid".

National leader Todd Muller is getting support from an unexpected quarter - ousted deputy leader Paula Bennett.

The new National Party leader has defended the lack of diversity on his front bench, saying there are plenty of talented Māori in the wider caucus.

Power Play - National has a new leader, now Todd Muller has less than four months to convince voters he can lead a government after a bruising political coup.

National's MPs are readying for a midday vote that will set their course for the election, after a swift and brutal process that's played out out more publicly than many would have liked.

National MP Todd Muller will challenge for the National Party leadership on Friday, saying the party will not win the election with Simon Bridges at the helm. Video, Audio

Power Play - National Party leader Simon Bridges looks to be calling the bluff of would be challengers Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye, confirming a leadership vote will be held next week.

The government has bowed to pressure and will now allow public scrutiny of the law giving police the power to enforce alert level 2, passed under urgency this week.

The Finance Minister will unveil a Budget today that will set this country's economic course for years, if not decades, to come.

Attorney-General David Parker has accused the Opposition of a "dangerous" attack on public servants and the separation of powers between Parliament and the courts.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs had earlier expressed his view that Taiwan should be able to rejoin the World Health Organisation, which led to China's Embassy releasing a statement on NZ relations.

New Zealand may allow international students to come to this country under quarantine conditions, before the borders are opened up again to other foreign nationals.

Today New Zealanders will find out what life will look like if Cabinet agrees to loosen lockdown restrictions next week.

National is calling for the government to be more upfront about what's happening with Behrouz Boochani, a Kurdish refugee and author who arrived here last November and may now be seeking asylum. Audio

The National Party is on just 29 percent, while Labour is polling at 55 percent, according to the latest survey by Labour's pollster.

Power Play - Winston Peters dropping a bombshell about Cabinet's decision to close the border is generating more controversy for the coalition government, writes Jane Patterson.

National's Simon Bridges says he's confident he'll still be party leader come election time.

Power Play - The phones are running hot in the National Party caucus as MPs frantically try to figure out whether to replace Simon Bridges as leader after this week's massive backlash, writes Jane…

Power Play - Politics is a tribal business at the best of times but that's intensified with the war-time rhetoric, as the country settles in for one more week of lockdown, writes Jane Patterson.

Parliament will meet again next Tuesday but in a very limited way, and with only key MPs and ministers present.

The government will be moving "cautiously" as it considers whether the country will come out of full lockdown this week, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.

New Zealanders will today hear more about what life and business activity might look like under alert level 3.

Businesses forecasting losses will be able to claim cash payments against tax previously paid on profits, and the law will be changed to take some pressure off commercial rents. Audio