Andrew Dickens: Enjoy this respite from criticism of New Zealand, it won't last

This is my first ZB shift since the election brought in our new Government-to-be.

And I must say it’s been the most fantastic fortnight, until we lost the Rugby World Cup final due to first half sloppiness and a trigger-happy TMO.

But we had our chances. We can’t complain. You have to play to the rules.

But really, it’s been 2 weeks of calm and confidence and a feeling of recovery and renewal after the election

Richard Shaw: NZ slams the door on Labour

Close, but so far no “baubles of office” for Winston Peters and NZ First. “We have done the impossible,” he told supporters on election night. But as the old saying goes, politics is the art of the possible.

For the past two weeks, as the polls showed NZ First climbing towards and then past the 5% threshold for securing seats in parliament, all the talk was about how Peters – the great survivor of New Zealand politics – might exercise the balance of power.

Ian Templeton: Election delivered clear outcome

Now comes the hard part for politicians, including forming the Cabinet

After an election campaign in which the news media indicated a degree of scepticism there would be a clear-cut outcome, the right-of-centre parties got the mandate they were seeking. Now the National leader’s political skill will face its first test as he seeks to construct a Cabinet both harmonious and effective, from the diverse talent in front of him.