The other agenda in the NZ-EU FTA / Nurses’ strike action – a one-off? / Pre-fab housing – watch the Super Fund / November rate cut on the cards? / Regulation looms on nutrient allocation / Pohokura outage costing Methanex / Here comes Hart Jr

Govt losing its shape again – how much does it matter? / NZ First’s attack on Fonterra – serious this time? / Methane compromise paves way for Nats on climate change / US-style border documentation on the way / Implications for employers in revived domestic violence law / Return to tri-partitism ramps up / Immigration and international student policy

Precedent for M. bovis eradication / KiwiBuild – momentum-building imperative / Wage pressures and capacity constraints weigh on confidence / Headache for National in Northcote? / Rail’s new lease on life / Keep a close eye on the nurses’ pay deal / Trade and diplomatic relations

The Well-Meaning Before the Well-Being Budget / Growth looks toppy, spending pressures underdone / High immigration here to stay? / Real wage growth ahead / M. bovis outbreak – a creeping crisis / Winston Peters, acting PM / Adjusting to Adrian Orr’s new style

Unwanted ‘winter of discontent’ now baked in? / But Labour Ministers’ internal morale is high / Not so happy in the Greens / Public sector tested by more interventionist govt / Gas reserves downgrade imminent / Banks and petrol retailers in the gun / First hints at next round of RMA reform

Energy policy contradictions / A string of momentum-dulling decisions / MBIE tasked with coordinating transformative policies / NZ Super Fund considering pre-fab investment / R&D tax credits from next year / Electricity and climate review committees well-received / Northcote by-election

Officials flag size of KiwiBuild challenge / Transport policy changes narrative; but with risks / Employment law reform – the next political battleground? / Jones on a tighter leash / Greens to define their term with co-leader choice / Door ajar on irrigation / Robertson committed to Budget Responsibility Rules

Govt under real pressure for the first time / Is it a Peters or an Ardern problem? / Oil and gas exploration – a little clarity / Differentiation – Shane Jones style / Fonterra’s reset opportunity / Differentiation – James Shaw-style

Principle meets practicality – foreign house buyers’ ban / BEPS – getting the balance right in international tax / The ‘Pacific reset’ – proxy for an emerging ‘China reset’ / National Party rejuvenation / Special feature: climate change policy / State sector reform – a 30 year journey from inputs to outcomes? / Global politics – volatility and challenges for democracy continue

Provincial Growth Fund launched today / ‘Learning’, not ‘subjects’ the focus of education reform / Well-being and productivity – Robertson’s agenda / National Party leadership / Ardern back to Aussie / CPTPP in force by early 2019? / A2 and Fonterra – friends at last