An MMP relationship forged in opposition will be tested today, when Green Party leaders meet Prime Minister John Key.
It will be the first formal meeting of the parties since November's election and subsequent change of government, but is not expected to result in any broad agreements.
But
even though the National Government already has three minor parties to feed, today's meeting could bear some fruit.
Mr Key expressed some support for country of origin food labelling when he dropped into an informal forum attended by Green MPs at Waitangi 12 days ago.
Though the Greens have had frequent differences of opinion with National, the leaders met regularly while National was on the Opposition benches. The meetings yielded National Party support for the compromise over the Green's anti-smacking law and other Green bills.
National has ditched a $1 billion fund Labour had promised for a 15-year house insulating programme for low and middle income households, but Mr Key has indicated he is amenable to a more limited version of the project.
Greens co-leader Russell Norman will be hoping his efforts to clean up waterways will get a ready ear, along with initiatives raised in his State of the Planet address - including "smart meters" to allow consumers to access cheaper electricity and sell power from solar panels into the national grid.
Mr Key launched an inquiry in response to Green MP Keith Locke's concerns about the ongoing SIS monitoring of his actions and has agreed to support Green co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons' motion requesting the Remuneration Authority freeze MPs wages for the next year.
The two parties have continued to clash in most other areas, however.
The Greens have accused National of sidelining environmental issues in itsreform of the Resource Management Act, and of ignoring public transport and failing to focus on "green collar" jobs.
It is also the only party not supporting the repeal of the Electoral Finance Act while a replacement is forged.
But cross-party co-operation is crucial to at least two initiatives dear to Green hearts - a new electoral finance regime and a review of the emissions trading scheme.
