What is happening in the National Party ranks?
Until recently, the party looked to have an unassailable lead on its way to the Treasury benches.
Now, the party is being forced to play catch-up.
Environment Minister Trevor Mallard was yesterday gleefully passing out what he claimed was National's research, science and technology policy, the fourth policy the minister has "leaked" to the media.
The 12-page document was headed "For Caucus Approval", "Policy Summary".
"Another week, another leak. Today, I am releasing their leaked research, science and technology policy. My office received this yesterday," Mr Mallard said.
Last Thursday and Friday, Mr Mallard released National's environment, conservation and biofuels policies.
The leaks were more like a gushing stream and demonstrated yet again that there were serious problems within National, he said.
The four leaked policies to date came on top of several examples of leaking and premature announcements of policy and "secret" plans which have plagued National since the last election.
There had been leaks and "accidental" disclosures of the party's plans to sell off Kiwibank, to impose $50-a-week tolls, to ditch employer contributions to KiwiSaver, and to privatise ACC, not to mention the leak of Mr Key's unannounced meeting with British Conservative Party deputy chairman and wealthy political donor Lord Michael Ashcroft, Mr Mallard said.
Mr Mallard would not comment yesterday on the rumour that he is aware of who is leaking the information.
But Mr Key's early claims that Mr Mallard had found the documents in the Beehive cafe seem to beggar belief.
Finding one document could be possible, but finding four is a stretch.
Mr Mallard's demeanour suggested he either has, or expects, more policy leaks from the party that loathes him.
Perhaps it is sweet revenge for his demotion after punching National MP Tau Henare.
Dunedin North Pete Hodgson summed up the situation for National when in the House he sought leave to table a bottle of Stop Leak.
With the first opinion poll showing a closing in the gap between Labour and National, the refusal of Miss Clark to name the election date and the sideshow around donations to New Zealand First, the earlier good work of Mr Key is being forgotten.
National has failed to make any traction in the House in trying to tie Miss Clark's future to that of NZ First leader Winston Peters.
Ruling Mr Peters out of any National-led government has left Mr Key in a must-win-alone situation, something MMP voters have previously eschewed.
The exclusion of Mr Peters was a brave move, but one more policy leak may further shake voters' confidence in National's readiness to govern.
Political editor Dene Mackenzie is in Wellington this week.
