Politics, like nature, abhors a vacuum and the Act Party's demise has created one. In 1983, a political vacuum was filled by the New Zealand Party, which promoted "freedom and prosperity". Founded by Sir Robert Jones, in 1984 it polled 12.2 per cent but

Sir Roger Douglas has departed the political stage again but he may have left another enduring monument in Act's agreement with National this week. A law to cap increases in government spending could prove to be as effective as one of his great legacies

Phil Goff was dubbed "fill in Phil" when he took over the Labour Party leadership from Helen Clark in 2008, but he always maintained he was in for the long haul. A fresh faced Phil Goff entered Parliament 30 years ago, but now he's looking to spend a lit

After three years at the helm, Phil Goff has announced he is stepping down as leader of the Labour Party. He took up the job after the party's 2008 defeat when Helen Clark resigned, and has since struggled in the opinion polls. Goff has had to regu