The Minister of Health is one of the toughest jobs in Cabinet. In comparison, being Prime Minister or Minister of Finance is easy. Recovering from an emergency operation, unable to move with all the tubes stuck in me, stomach in turmoil, unable to sleep, I thought the Prime Minister had asked me to be Minster of Health. My maiden speech.

If there is a major shock, New Zealand has not got a lot of fiscal room to move.

The proposal to reduce the number of public servants is not well worked out.

Nicola Willis has leaned into National Party traditions but without the ruthless rationing of Ruth Richardson or Jenny Shipley. Still, she’s placed her bet for the election that people will vote for better days to come

The outlook is gloomy.

We are facing difficult challenges from the likely rise in import prices.

In too many areas we are avoiding thinking about or preparing for oncoming changes.

The US is throwing away its world leadership; will China fill the gap?

Aside from its Orwellian doublespeak, the proposed legislation to change how we count New Zealand requires an expert review.