The political week ahead

What to look out for:

Monday (Tuesday NZ time): The next ‘‘straw poll’’ will be held in the process to select the new secretarygeneral of the United Nations. It will be crucial to former prime minister Helen Clark. After a poor showing in previous polls, her odds are not looking good and another down-thelist result this time might spark her withdrawal from the race. Labour health spokeswoman Annette King and disability issues spokesman Poto Williams will be hosting a roundtable discussion on disability funding in their party’s caucus rooms at Parliament. The joint Labour-Green-Maori Party homelessness inquiry continues, with a meeting in Tauranga.

Wednesday:

Minister Paula Bennett lands in Canberra for meetings with her Australian counterparts. Building consent figures are due.

Saturday:

NZ First’s annual conference kicks off in Dunedin’s Glenroy Auditorium (‘‘an ideal space, seating 400 people and maintaining an intimate feel’’). Leader and Northland MP Winston Peters’ keynote speech is set down for midday on Sunday. The party is promising, with characteristic mystery, a special guest speaker and a well-known New Zealand comedian as the MC at its dinner.

What not to look out for:

Parliament takes a one-week recess so there will be no action in the legislative chamber this week.