After falling out of favour during the global economic turmoil, Apec's propensity for dressing up its leaders in "silly shirts" returned with gusto.

Prime Minister John Key is signalling it is crunch time for the Trans Pacific Partnership talks and countries need to decide if they are in or out.

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research's quarterly survey of business opinion has found the sector in good heart and evidence of a recovery that is becoming broader-based.

Apec's focus is trade liberalisation, writes Audrey Young. The East Asia Summit focus is wider; leaders will talk about regional questions of the moment, including security issues such as North Korea.

Prime Minister John Key says there is only one chance to get a comprehensive Trans Pacific Partnership and it would be worth waiting a little longer to get one.

Labour's trade spokesman and a former Trade Minister Phil Goff says he understands why the Government is not releasing text of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement but says it could be doing more to communicate with New Zealanders.

Prime Minister John Key will seek an opportunity today to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of Apec in Bali.

The absence of US President Barack Obama from the Apec leaders summit leaves a gaping hole, and a lot of disappointment, if not misery, writes Audrey Young.

Editorial: Kiwis will be mildly amused that their PM has stepped into the breach left by Barack Obama's inability to be at Bali this week - but should be proud too.

Ambition and speed. That's what leaders of the 12 countries negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership should seek as they meet in Bali this week, writes Phil O'Reilly and Jay Timmons.

New Zealand really likes being characterised as the firm but fair "honest broker" in matters of world affairs, writes Audrey Young.

Prime Minister John Key says he can understand why United States President Barack Obama won't give in to the demands of Republicans who want to delay his healthcare law.

While New Zealand's exports to China have soared since the free trade agreement between the two countries came into effect, industry leaders say this country still needs to up its game when doing business in the world's second-biggest economy.

Labour's Phil Goff is back in business, adding his strong and rational voice to New Zealand's advocacy for the completion of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).

A trade agreement which New Zealand is champing at the bit to sign promises billions of dollars in extra export earnings and thousands of new jobs, according to the minister in charge, Tim Groser.