In a passionate parliamentary debut, the new National MP says concern for the environment must not be seen as the preserve of the left, and hails the impact of generational change

In her first parliamentary address, the new Green MP reveals her personal history of anxiety and depression, and her overriding ambitions for NZ.

I’d forced myself not to think about it, but now the incredible has happened, writes Spinoff candidate diarist and new star of the Labour caucus

Five days out from the election, Kiri Allan writes about being both a first-time candidate and first-time mum in the latest instalment of her campaign diary.

'On Monday night I was scratching my head about how to inspire Labour supporters. And then along came Jacinda.'

For the last fortnight the Green Party has found itself in the unfamiliar position of dominating campaign headlines. Chlöe Swarbrick takes a (brief) pause for breath to reflect on it all in her third candidate diary for the Spinoff.

In a departure from usual service, the second candidate diary entry by the National Party's East Coast Bays hopeful Erica Stanford is not written by Erica Stanford at at all.

Kiri Allan on the emotional rollercoaster after chucking in the day job, growing a layer of skin to deal with the scrutiny, a gathering of women who get shit done, and rugby as a metaphor.

In her second candidate diary for the Spinoff, the Greens' Chlöe Swarbrick recounts a moving visit to Christchurch and pays tribute to partner of five years Alex, a rock in a turbulent political tide.

In her second candidate diary for the Spinoff, Labour's candidate for East Coast describes door-knocking in the electorate, meeting fellow diarist Chlöe Swarbrick, fronting a press stand-up after that controversial list announcement, and a big TV appearance.

In her first candidate diary for the Spinoff, Chlöe Swarbrick recounts a mad few weeks, getting 13th on the Greens' initial list, and the thorny question of what our country stands for.

To be honest it would be weird if someone else revealed our campaign plans, but still, writes Spinoff politics editor Toby Manhire.

In her first entry for our new Election 2017 Candidate Diary series, National candidate Erica Stanford recounts the decision to stand for East Coast Bays, the mounting pressure and the struggle to remember names and faces.

In her debut candidate diary for the Spinoff, Labour hopeful Kiri Allan explains why she decided to go home to the East Coast and stand for parliament, and the devastating impact of recent floods on Edgecumbe and the region.