The period under review has seen a resurgence of economic growth in New Zealand with consequent improvements in employment and a turn-around in the fiscal deficit. Inflation has been controlled by strict monetary policy with consequent effects on the TWI. As a result, prices of tradable goods have been depressed in a period of growth. The agricultural export sector has been disadvantaged in this environment and shows little real growth in output but continues its remarkable productivity gains. The policy parameters for agriculture continue to be set in the macroenvironment as set out in previous reviews. This article brings up to date the discussion of national policy attitudes and performance of the agricultural sector while a second article sets out the continuing search for new and modified marketing institutions in New Zealand.