As the world retreats from free trade norms and into politically aligned trading blocs, the case for new, smart New Zealand companies in non-traditional areas is compelling.
Top officials were alerted to concerns around NZTA's ads as far back as April, but so far have taken a hands-off approach.
If falling house prices mean the economy is slowing, how much higher might interest rates go and how much more might the economy slow as a result?
The arduousness of switching to another system of government is likely to keep the British monarchy in charge from Belize to Tuvalu well past its use-by date.