The New Zealand Treasury: A History

This is the official commissioned history of our most important department of state, founded with the nation in 1840. Devised in three parts, 'Clerks', 'Accountants' and 'Economists', it reveals the changing character of Treasury responsibilities and the growing professionalism of its officials over 160 years. It is a rich and textured story: we see the perennial jousting of public servants with politicians, the rise and fall of the accountants in the middle years of the twentieth century and the rise and rise of the economists in more recent times. McKinnon shows the impact on Treasury of changes in the political scene and of powerful figures like Nordmeyer and Muldoon, and of events in the world economy like the Depression of the 1930s. Not always grey bureaucrats, colourful figures stride the pages: one secretary was a representative rugby player, one was a better politician than the politicians, one took beginner's ballet classes through an especially stressful year. But this is a serious and fascinating study at the heart of the country's history and taking the story through the controversial 'rogernomics' years up to 2000. Long overdue, this will be essential reading for anyone interested in New Zealand history and the complex interplay between government, economy and people.