KEY POINTS:
Since Helen Clark's Government came to power, the "partnership" model has become the norm for how business deals with the Beehive rather than a free-wheeling economy where each side sticks to its knitting.
As a result the business sector has got to know Cabinet ministers well. Here's my
take on how they view the ministers who now hold economic-style portfolios.
MICHAEL CULLEN: FINANCE
Business respects Cullen's stewardship of the New Zealand economy but is impatient over the time it's taking him to deliver on personal tax cuts.
This doesn't mean the business sector wants Cullen replaced as Finance Minister - far from it. From next April, businesses will have more cash in their pockets after the company tax rate is reduced amid a raft of business taxation changes. Business people are pragmatists - they know personal cuts will follow.
Cullen's legacy is a big one. The KiwiSaver scheme, the Cullen Fund, the bailout of Air New Zealand and the railways and a commitment to sorting out Auckland are strategic moves that business appreciates.
He has earned a reputation as Clark's fix-it man. But like National's former "Mr Fix It" - Treasurer Bill Birch - he needs to conserve his strength. Birch worked himself into the ground to the point where he ended up with Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Cullen's irked at National painting him as an enemy of business. Last week he set the record straight over the infamous "we won, you lost, eat that" comment which he stipulates was directed at National, not business.
He's also miffed journalists have written up as news his four tests for personal tax cuts ("no borrowing to fund them, no cuts to services to afford them, no inflation flowing from them and no increase to inequality as a result") when they've been on his wall for ages.
He's also respected by Australian Treasurer Peter Costello for their joint efforts towards a transtasman single market.
Future: A creative solution to Clark's dilemma would be to elevate Cullen to Treasurer and appoint Goff as his deputy (either Deputy Treasurer or Finance Minister), although Cullen would prefer to remain as Finance Minister with Goff deputising in that portfolio. That would give him the ability to provide the necessary oversight to the raft of junior ministers about to be elevated to economic roles.
For instance, business confidence would be enhanced if Cullen had oversight on David Parker ( referred to as the "climate change wonder-boy") who has let evangelism supersede the need to make sure the economic side-effects of his policy revolution are addressed. He should flick the Attorney-General's role and Tertiary Education to give him more time for the big issues.
JIM ANDERTON: AGRICULTURE
Anderton's pushing 70, but like Jim Bolger and others of that vintage he still carries an impressive workload shouldering the Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity portfolios which are so integral to the economy.
His mana with the business sector would not be reduced if Clark moved him off the front bench to make way for younger talent.
Future: He could look after Trevor Mallard's Economic Development portfolio until the PM has decided he is sufficiently rehabilitated to bring back to the centre-stage again. But business would say it's time that a Cabinet-ranked understudy was appointed for Anderton's key agriculture portfolios.
PHIL GOFF: TRADE
Business believes Goff is highly competent but regards him as a bit of an automaton. He does not relax easily with business people or farmers in the way of his predecessor Jim Sutton but has an impressive onstage presence and masters a brief with ease.
What business doesn't like about Goff is his impetuosity.
His politicising of Air NZ's charter flights to Iraq, and the Dubai Aerospace bid for a majority slice of Auckland International Airport have cost him big time.
Future: Mallard's demise leaves Goff as Cullen's heir apparent. But despite being an Associate Finance Minister he has not carried the sheer weight of economic portfolios that Mallard has and would benefit from being brought in as Cullen's understudy first before moving up to greater things.
ANNETTE KING: TRANSPORT
King is well-regarded by business and has the fortunate capacity to know how to defuse portfolios that are hot potatoes in others' hands.
She's handling the critical transport portfolio and although not an Aucklander is picking her way through that city's politics.
Future: King's an experienced hand and could easily shoulder a prime economic portfolio like State Owned Enterprises if Clark was minded to take if from Mallard.
TREVOR MALLARD: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Mallard is well-known to business through his portfolios: Economic Development, Associate Finance, State Owned Enterprises. It took business a while to warm to him - but he has proved competent.
If he is dropped from these portfolios, business will have to go through the "getting to know the enemy" phase all over again.
RUTH DYSON: LABOUR
Dyson has turned around her anti-business reputation since taking on Labour and ACC.
The lobbies can "do business" with her and have found her an amenable partner as they work up new skills and employment packages. Some say their joint offshore study trips have been fun.
Future: It would be a step up but she should be able to master Economic Development given the progress she has made.
LIANNE DALZIEL: COMMERCE
Dalziel, like Dyson, was initially seen by business as a "scary leftie". But the former trade union lawyer is a bright cookie who has worked her way through a raft of legislative reforms in the commerce area.
She's still seen as "regulation happy" but amenable to a good, well-researched argument. She occasionally reverts to form in the presence of Roundtablers and was too slow to address the finance industry issues.
Future: Business would prefer she holds on to Commerce - "better the devil you know" - but she could easily shoulder more work.
DAVID CUNLIFFE: COMMUNICATIONS
Business initially found him prickly and a bit sanctimonious. He's won respect as he got on top of the Digital Strategy - although many in business still dislike the way he monstered Telecom.
Future: Clark may want to blood him with a heavyweight social portfolio, but he's also potential Finance Minister material and could do with shouldering more economic portfolios.
DAVID PARKER: CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES
Many business people are wary of Parker's evangelism - particularly as he is steam-rollering through the emissions trading regime without spending sufficient time on the design detail.
Business wants to be brought into the frame but consultations are too much in the presentation space.
Future: Business would prefer to see a heavyweight like Cullen given more capacity to make sure the detailed work is taking place.
CLAYTON COSGROVE: ASSOCIATE FINANCE
Business doesn't know him well but his decisiveness is liked. Future: Could take on mainstream economic portfolio, but Clark may make him serve more time.
IN THE WINGS
Shane Jones: Head of Parliament's finance and expenditure committee. Well-known to lots of high-profile business people from his time chairing the Maori fisheries commission and the parliamentary committee. A bit abrasive but decisive.
Charles Chauvel: Backbencher. Lawyer, has chaired the lotteries commission and held other directorships. Could be earmarked for justice/attorney-general type areas. Would be welcome in the economic arena.
