ACT

The biggest donor to Act New Zealand says he gave the money to Don Brash and John Banks so they could stop special treatment for Maori who were "either in jail or on welfare".

Make no mistake. Prime Minister John Key will dump the Hon John Archibald Banks QSO CNZM from his ministry if circumstances so dictate.

Act New Zealand leader John Banks asked for a $50,000 political donation to be split into two parts so it could be made anonymously, says Kim Dotcom and one other witness.

With work now starting on the blueprint for the first batch of "charter" schools, the scene would seem to have been set for a real ding-dong battle as opponents try to mobilise the only weapon they have to halt or at least delay the concept becoming reality - public opinion.

The word "reform" drips readily off the tongues of politicians.

Former Act MP Gerrard Eckhoff, of The Half Mile, Alexandra, explores why the party's support has plummeted.

Act New Zealand leader Don Brash was forced into defensive mode over the so-called teapot tapes during last night's TVNZ minor parties leaders' debate as NZ First's Winston Peters challenged Prime Minister John Key to come clean over the incident.

Act New Zealand finally launched its election campaign yesterday after it became clear last week why the party was waiting until the last minute.

Act has announced plans to overhaul the "Frankenstein legislation'' it says the Resource Management Act (RMA) has become.

Act New Zealand leader Don Brash has dismissed as "garbage" suggestions that John Banks is vetting his speeches, after claims he had ditched a speech on welfare at Mr Banks' insistence.