Its first term was marked by sky-high opinion polls and a distinct lack of controversy. The opinion polls may have dipped only slightly, but in terms of contentiousness, the John Key-led National Government is certainly making up for lost time.
A common chorus among right-wing critics of the first-term Key Government was that it wasted three years of opportunity. Given its popularity, they argue, the Government should have taken more risks in introducing policy.
And there is some truth to that point of view, in that Mr Key especially seemed careful not to take any stance outside popular opinion. If it found itself on the backfoot, the Government's position quickly altered - and in some instances plans were abandoned altogether.
That seems to have changed this term: the government is now embroiled in several flashpoint debates over issues which, by and large, split supporters and opponents along clearly defined political lines - most notably on plans to part privatise some state-owned enterprises. Mr Key said earlier in his second term that the controversies flamed because the media was less "friendly" to his government. Closer to the truth is that during this second term the government has - rather than back down - so far continued to press on with policies it obviously believes in, even in the face of public protests. Of course, in the case of asset sales it went to the last election with the sale of SOEs clearly on the agenda, and it clearly has an argument to say it does indeed have a mandate to push forward on this front.
Things have begun to change, too, on the other side of the House. The Greens continue their climb towards mainstream political relevance, and have long shrugged off stereotypes of the past. Under Russel Norman and Metiria Turei, they are - so far at least - clearly well positioned to be one of the major players at the next election.
But the biggest difference in recent weeks has been the quiet - for lack of a better word - within and surrounding the Labour Party. Largely gone (publically at least) have been the whispers surrounding the party's leadership that dogged Phil Goff during the last term.
Gone too have been the faux pas of the recent past which saw it struggle to present itself as a realistic alternative to Mr Key and co.
While it still has a lot of ground to recover, Labour seems content at present to play the long game.
Tennis aficionados would probably describe it as a baseline game - standing back, ensuring the ball is always returned over the net, and waiting for their opponents to make mistakes on which to capitalise.
And while the Government will argue they are not "mistakes", opposition parties are certainly making the most of their latest "opportunities", for instance around Mr Key's position on the Waitangi Tribunal; on convention centres and poker machines; and on the more usual political battlefields of employment, welfare, education, health and even roading.
The House resumes next Tuesday. Winter is well upon us, but it seems quite likely that Wellington - in the current climate - is about to generate plenty of heat.
Remarkable responses
The response to Helicopters Otago's weekend fundraiser for the Chair of Neurosurgery Appeal again showed the South's tremendous support for the "It's a No-Brainer" cause. On Saturday, residents from throughout the region patiently queued for their chance to take a sightseeing flight around Dunedin, and Helicopters Otago owners Graeme and Ros Gale covered all costs and donated the full $100 per seat to the appeal, meaning more than $60,000 was raised. Well done.
The people of Otago and Southland have - from the overwhelming support for various protests and petitions when Southern neurosurgery was under threat, through to the ongoing and generous donations for the fundraising appeal - at all times shown their true colours when it comes to retaining the service. It makes one proud to be a southerner. But we're not finished yet. So far, a remarkable $2,490,000 has been raised in the Chair of Neurosurgery appeal, but the aim is still to crack the $3 million mark. Let's dig deep.
