Three months have passed since Tristan Blake confronted Joshua Davidson outside the Beehive. Governor General Anita Mayes is in direct control of New Zealand, sending the shamed PM James Connor to the back benches of the New Conservative Party. Rachel Connor is working at Hardwater Hospital, while John Robertson is spending more time in the Cathedral. Bishop Mark Blake has been laid off for improper conduct, but the Archbishop has chosen to reinstate him. Alex Kensington remains hidden. He is the key: the mastermind behind Joshua's demise. But the driving force behind Alex is the spirit of his father: a man who will never be appeased until he achieves, through Alex, total control of New Zealand. Rau Petera has good news to bring, but Aotearoa is uneasy: independence has been taken under siege. A new election must take place, but Alex's father Kensington is moving into position. Who will rule New Zealand? What forces, in the struggle for independence, will win? Sequel to 'A New Kind of Zeal'.