This paper undertakes a review of the report of the Adult Education and Community Learning Working Party released by the New Zealand Government in September 2001. It discusses a number of themes arising out of this report. However, the report is not seen in isolation, and the paper locates it in a wider context. It identifies some of the difficulties faced by those involved in adult education and community learning (ACE) and by the Working Party itself in trying to move forward after a decade or more of neglect by government. It also identifies some influences of the Tertiary Education Advisory Commission. Themes discussed include the need to adopt a broadly based statement of purpose, to develop stronger links with other "sectors", to make a stronger claim for increased funding for ACE, to undertake further clarification of the contributions and requirements of different organisations and institutions, and to undertake further research. The paper concludes with key recommendations. (Contains 1 footnote.) [This paper was published in the "New Zealand Journal of Adult Learning," v30, n1, p7-22, May 2002.]