Labour has gained support in the latest opinion poll and has closed the gap on National, but it still has a long way to go to have a real chance of retaining power on November 8.

By Peter Wilson, NZPA Political Editor As the campaign enters its second week Labour is under pressure to start cutting into National's strong lead in the opinion polls.

The National Party is offering to work with the Government on ways to protect the banking industry during the international financial crisis.

National Party leader John Key said today he had met Auckland businessman Yang Liu, the subject of questions about his residency and citizenship. He also said Mr Liu had made an unsolicited donation of $5000 to National before the last election.

A week into a dramatic New Zealand election campaign that has seen Labour pull big election promises out of its hat, has still not been enough to make any impact on National's commanding lead, according to the latest poll.

Minor parties took up the slack in the election campaign today as Labour and National wound down for the weekend.

Wellington, Oct 17 NZPA - The Maori seats in Parliament became an issue for minor parties today and one said they were distorting the electoral system.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has waded into the controversy over National's stance on the Maori seats, saying it is clear it will do anything to win power.

Derek Fox and Parekura Horomia may have some family connections, but it doesn't stop them getting feisty in a political debate.

Labour leader Helen Clark and National's John Key are covering as much territory as they can early in the campaign and today they shift the action to Christchurch and Auckland.