The Mother of All Departments

"... Brings to life the history of the most important agency of government in nineteenth century New Zealand as it traces the evolution of the Department of Internal Affairs from its genesis as the Colonial Secretary's Office in 1840 to the present day. Having given birth in due course to Public Works, Justice, Health and Social Welfare, the Department nonetheless still has an extraordinary array of functions -- each a small but integral part of a smoothly running democracy. It plays a significant role in some of the controversial issues of our day including the reform of local government, royal visits, state patronage of the arts and culture and the regulation of gambling and lotteries." -- Back cover.