1Holding the Line The Government took subsidies away from farmers, however now it has decided to subsidise the West Coast railway line from Greymouth to Christchurch, so that coal can be moved by rail from West Coast mines to the port at Lyttelton. Over 900 jobs would be lost if the railway line closed, so the coal being carries on the line for export will now attract a $50 million subsidy. Is this a case of double-standards by the Government, or a policy u-turn?

2Following the Leader New Opposition leader Jim Bolger was born only a year before the party he now leads was created. This year, it celebrates its 50th birthday. In that fifty years, the National Party has been no stranger to political intrigue, the latest of which was last month's lightning coup that unseated leader Jim McLay. McLay was an urban, liberal lawyer. Jim Bolger is a conservative farmer from the King Country, and a practicing Catholic. Bolger now has to prove that he is the right person to lead the country.

3Femme de la Creme Profile of Alison Holst MBE, New Zealand's best-known cook, who has been dispensing culinary advice for the past 25 years. However, Alison Holst is not just a cook - she is a commercial powerhouse who writes newspaper columns, promotes microwave ovens, sells knives, greeting cards and books and still finds time for radio and television shows - all while raising a family.