It is no mistake that in recent years the Infrastructure portfolio has also been held by the Minister of Finance. Infrastructure has rightly been described as the “backbone of economic growth”. Resilient infrastructure that caters for growing populations is critical to the workings of a modern economy. Everything from transport, energy, water and the construction of houses, commercial and industrial …

It isa tribute to Kiwi determination that New Zealand has developed digital diplomacy to such a high art form that next week’s meeting of the Apec political leaders will take place fully virtually, in the midst of a global pandemic. Preparations for our hosting of Apec — the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum — began four years ago. They will culminate …

The late Sir Michael Cullen was blessed with a sharp intellect and quick wit overlaid with his occasional trademark sarcasm. At the Herald’s 2005 Mood of the Boardroom election breakfast, Cullen painstakingly laid out the strategies he had employed over six years to underpin economic growth as he teased then-opponent Sir John Key on the merits of a $3.9 billion …