Sir Frank Holmes has played a seminal role in New Zealand's public life for over fifty years. During his career he has held leading positions in the academy, business and government. To celebrate Sir Frank's extraordinary contribution, the Institute of Policy Studies held a symposium in November 2004 on the 'timeless and timely' topic of The Visible Hand: The Changing Role of the State in New Zealand's Development. This book contains papers based on the presentations to the symposium.

The book is in three parts reflecting Sir Frank's wide and diverse contribution. The first is concerned with foreign affairs and key economic relationships. The second discusses the economy and society, ranging across issues of economic management, social, health and education policy. The third looks to the future with scenarios from different perspectives.

The contributors are leading practitioners, academics and commentators in the topics on which they write.