Ngati Whatua of Orakei did Auckland proud yesterday. Their invitation to the Prime Minister was well-timed.

New Zealand marks its 177th birthday with a thriving economy and has no need of despondency for the future of world trade. It just has more work to do.

Bill English says he "looks forward" to his first phone call from Trump. He is probably being unduly diplomatic after Malcolm Turnbull got Trump treatment.

The naming of election day always intensifies the focus on politics.

COMMENT: It is hard to believe that New Zealanders chose not to pick up as much as $300 million on offer from the Government.

The Commission for Financial Capability wants changes to New Zealand's retirement policies and is urging an overhaul of the 'holiday' arrangement.

COMMENT: This year is an election year, which will determine whether there is real momentum in focusing on the crucial myriad of issues for Maori, writes Jon Stokes.

Citizens of the seven countries targeted by Donald Trump in the name of preventing terrorism have not been known to previous cause terrorism in the US.

COMMENT: The announcement that DB Breweries has purchased Tuatara shines a spotlight on a surprisingly positive shift in the way Kiwis are consuming beer.

The mood is often quickly soured by challenges from Waitangi so it is good that the Ratana Church's annual celebrations of its founder's birth in the rural settlement of Ratana Pa has come to be an occasion for all parties.

Editorial: It is hardly surprising when the warmest season threatens to end before it has barely started

What has possessed Auckland Transport to contemplate putting their intercity bus terminal at Manukau?

Small trading nations have to look beyond Washington now for leaders who want the world to prosper.

Britain's PM Theresa May gave an important speech last week, just three days before the inauguration of Donald Trump.

Mark Gilbert, the departing United States Ambassador, is keen to reassure New Zealanders that Washington does not spy on Wellington.

Every new US President has the right to start with the good will of opponents and critics.

The world waits to hear what Donald Trump will say when he is sworn in early tomorrow, New Zealand time.

Since science was ignited as the fuel of economic growth the flame has gone out, says Jeff Tallon.

Asked to forecast the outlook for the housing market this year, an economist recently made an important point.

The nature of information that constitutes news is being changed by the digital age, not entirely for the better.

Michael Chamberlain, the New Zealand-born pastor who died this week at 72, was a man of unshakeable faith and resolute character.

Perversely, Brexit and the threatened policies of Donald Trump may have greatly helped New Zealand's prospects of an agreement with the EU

COMMENT: Prime Minister Bill English will meet Theresa May tonight - but the Trump factor means his visit isn't getting much attention in the UK.

As New Zealanders are well aware, but probably Australians are not, many of these people who are detained are not Kiwis in any real sense.

There could hardly a worse time for Iran to lose its powerful moderating figure, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who has died aged 82.

Waitangi Day has provided an insight to the character of successive prime ministers ever since Norman Kirk made it a national holiday.

The 'Family First' group has put an interesting idea into debate for this election year.

These are brilliant ideas which may soon take shape. Perhaps 2017 may not be so bad after all.

Debate raging on social media over Mad Butcher comment was worthy of attention.

When the official holiday period finished at 6am yesterday there had been 15 fatal crashes on New Zealand roads since the Friday before Christmas.