Michael Bassett: TV One journalists fail to notice there's a new government

As we already know, adjusting to the arrival of new leaders in the Beehive is proving difficult for the Mainstream Media (MSM). Many journalists seem not to have noticed that the public voted for change. They need to recognise this fact. I suspect the problem might be with the journalists’ education.

Kerre Woodham: I feel more positive than I have in years

Long coalition negotiations from the new about-to-be Government have seen a major economics consultancy downgrade its perception of New Zealand's political stability to its lowest rating in more than a decade.

BMI, not the body mass index, but a consultancy group owned by the Fitch Group and one of the three big ratings agencies, docked New Zealand a couple of points in its Short-Term Political Risk Index (STPRI), which measures the country's political stability. Because there's been far too much shagging around in their perception (my words, not theirs), when it comes to forming a new government.

Mike Hosking: It's about time - and I'm excited

Am I weird to be excited?

As of this afternoon we will have a Government. Sort of.

We will know the final vote. Yet again, there will be the questions around the timeframe, and how refreshing it was to hear Chris Luxon on the show this week promising to upend how it all works.

Jack Tame: A new government is nigh – so what happens next?

It’s easier and faster for governments to scrap things than to build afresh, writes Q+A presenter Jack Tame.

When the special vote tallies are released this afternoon and the results of the general election are finalised, National’s leadership will want to waste little time in forming a new government.

Bob Jones: The Winston dilemma

The incoming government will have such a huge majority as not to need New Zealand First.

I believe New Zealand First will easily crack the 5% mark as Winston, being half maori, alone feels safe addressing the big issue upsetting New Zealanders, namely outrageous co-government propositions, maori favouritism and the like.