Treasury is the official commissioned history of our most important department of state, founded with the nation in 1840. It is a rich and textured story: it shows the perennial jousting of officials with ministers, the rise and fall of the accountants and the rise and rise of the economists. It shows the impact of changes in the political scene and of events in the world economy. Not always grey bureaucrats, colourful figures stride the pages: one secretary was 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 taking the story through the controversial 'rogernomics' years up to 2000. Long overdue, Treasury will be essential reading for anyone interested in New Zealand history and the complex interplay between government, economy and people.