Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Team Little: pretty good

116 Responses

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  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Sacha,

    I know of one thing Louisa Wall managed, for instance.

    What are Ardern's achievements, out of interest?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Not aware of many there either.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Keir Leslie,

    Well, she seems to have attracted a solid block of support from Maori caucus members, and she's a senior figure in Tainui and the Kingitanga. Unlike her predecessor in Maori Development, Shane Jones,, she's neither caused any scandals nor turned out to be a closet Tory. So, you know, doing pretty well. Don't know if I'd have put her at #4 personally, but it's not a bad decision either.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Keir Leslie,

    I don’t really care if she’s an effective operator in the House – although she is competent – her job, like most MPs, is elsewhere.

    Mahuta is prominent in her community and carries much respect from Iwi. In fact her Family have for many years. Like Harawira ,time spent at Marae is a huge part of a portfolio . Respect is earnt there and she has that all over the Country so she must be doing something ok.

    ETA. Keir you beat me to it again. :) I’ll just shuddup and read your comments. Don't let me down now y’hear.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Jim Cathcart, in reply to Steve Curtis,

    It gets better…. or umm something, Don Brash was for a while opposition spokesman on Finance. he had a PhD ( Economics) AND was governor of the Reserve Bank previously.
    Goes to show, he knew everything and knew nothing.

    Don Brash was one public figure who was outspoken on the monetary paradigm which enables households to take on the highest debt in the developed world. As Governor of the Reserve Bank, he has no influence on government policy.

    http://goo.gl/FNzxmq

    Since Nov 2006 • 228 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    To my mind Little's first failure is not to have stated that: "I will not be ranking the frontbench. They are all the best people for the job and I have full confidence in them, so will not be assisting the pundits with a scoresheet"

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Ron Davis, in reply to Sacha,

    Thanks for picking up the cudgel re Mahuta's accomplishments Sacha. But, for your trouble you have now invited the beginnings of ad hominem arguments about negative attitudes to both Maori and women, which one struggles to discover in your postings. Life, huh?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2014 • 25 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    Who has responsibility for Broadcasting /Communications? It seems to rate so lowly these days,

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Geoff Lealand,

    Who has responsibility for Broadcasting /Communications? It seems to rate so lowly these days,

    Curran?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Luke Williamson,

    Preumably Mahuta gets reward for her work in getting Maori to stick with Labour when many deserted the ship. Seems fair to me. Sio and Sepuloni also up there for Pasifika support.

    Warkworth • Since Oct 2007 • 297 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Luke Williamson,

    Sio and Sepuloni also up there for Pasifika support.

    They also both won their seats.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Mikaere Curtis,

    If caucus rankings were solely based on parliamentary achievements, then Sue Bradford would be leader of the Greens.

    I've met Mahuta, and she seems intelligent and articulate, both good qualities have on the front bench. There is also the symbolic acknowledgement that Maori are (still) staunch supporters of Labour.

    Perhaps Little wants to ensure he has a safe, if unspectacular, pair of hands in her role. If you agree with DimPost's assertion that the voters are suckers for competence and unity, then I think Mahuta is a good horse for that particular course.

    Tamaki Makaurau • Since Nov 2006 • 528 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to giovanni tiso,

    Who has responsibility for Broadcasting /Communications? It seems to rate so lowly these days,

    Curran?

    Yes. And I agree with Geoff. It's a shame that such a portfolio is not highly-ranked by Labour.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Curran has put in the work though, and may be the better current candidate for it. As in Dyson's case, elevation in the ranking is not necessarily a way of serving the portfolio better.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • KathrynB,

    Nanaia has had a huge role rebuilding trust between the Labour Party and maoridom after the Seabed and Foreshore debacle. She is not someone who seeks the limelight (hence the surprise to some in the media when she put her name forward for the leadership) but she does a lot of work in her electorate and is highly respected. I expect part of her role will be working with some of the new maori MPs and ensuring their voices get heard, and they get a chance to advance.
    Not sure why Louisa Wall is not amongst the top 17, but this may change next year.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2014 • 16 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Ron Davis,

    Given pervasive attitudes about both Maori and women, it seems a small price to pay for being able to get good quality answers like those from Keir and Sofie and Mikaere and Kathryn and..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Hilary Stace,

    But broadcasting is significant for the Finance portfolio. Grant mentioned investing in public broadcasting several times on the recent campaign trail so I would expect some work on sustainable solutions to be going on over the next three years.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report Reply

  • Keir Leslie,

    I think it's a bit odd that Broadcasting went to Curran and not Faafoi.. Both are competent and onto it, and I think both have good plans for public broadcasting.

    The issue remains funding and the intersection with broader cultural issues. It's better that these portfolios stay with people who are actually competent and on top of the issues, especially given that quite a few of the "unranked" MPs will likely shuffle upwards as more senior MPs move on this term.

    Since Jul 2008 • 1452 posts Report Reply

  • Ron Davis, in reply to Sacha,

    Can't deny any of that. Kia kaha.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2014 • 25 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Mikaere Curtis,

    If caucus rankings were solely based on parliamentary achievements, then Sue Bradford would be leader of the Greens.

    Good point. In 18 years, Mahuta has had no obvious role in policy development, and has, one bill to her name, which failed at first reading. She hasn't been an attention-grabber, ever. I can't recall anything she said or did as Minister of Local Government, 2005-2008. But I was pleasantly surprised at her performance in the leadership campaign.

    I’ve met Mahuta, and she seems intelligent and articulate, both good qualities have on the front bench. There is also the symbolic acknowledgement that Maori are (still) staunch supporters of Labour.

    She's also an important link to the Kingitanga. I think that's probably very significant.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    I'm quite surprised that Finance has gone to Robertson. He's a clever bloke and should handle it competently, but I think his heart is more in the social issues / policy area, not bean-counting.

    I think it will be good for him personally. If he does it well it will line him up well for a future run at party leader/PM, as it fills in a big part of his CV.

    I was disappointed not to see Adern not get a major portfolio. If she's a future leader she has to be able to front it against a senior minister.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Russell Brown,

    She’s also an important link to the Kingitanga.

    Yeah. her Mother and her Father. Although My point may not have been made to the standard that Sacha requires, it was that she is significant in the community which does count as votes for the Party.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    You use a hereditary dentist?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,

    My point may not have been made to the standard that Sacha requires

    Kingitanga was a good point in itself, thank you.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca, in reply to Rich of Observationz,

    I don't need to . Don't seem to get holes in my teeth. Only have 2 fillings I got 35 years ago so I use the Dentist for check ups around the corner from where I live. He's just handy. Ariki and Mana are qualities that Mahuta has. Perhaps Russell can enlighten us, now he's on Maori TV. Maybe Toi Iti could help with information about Mahuta's standing. I only know that the name Mahuta carries weight.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

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