Annette King standing down as deputy leader

215 comments on “Annette King standing down as deputy leader ”

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1. Bill 1

   1 March 2017 at 9:58 am

   Dear Andrew…captured by the right and (post election) rolled by the center. Ah well.
   • weka 1.1

     1 March 2017 at 10:17 am

     Which ones are the right and which ones are the centre again?
     • Bill 1.1.1

       1 March 2017 at 10:36 am

       Annette King belongs in the former camp (aligned with Goff et al) and Ardern in the latter (Robertson).
       • weka 1.1.1.1

         1 March 2017 at 10:40 am

         And Little? I was wondering if Ardern had just swapped sides (isn’t she in the careerist bracket?).
         • Bill 1.1.1.1.1

           1 March 2017 at 11:52 am

           Careerist. Centrist. Same thing.

           I thought Andrew Little would have been to the left of the Labour caucus. But from the get-go his announcements and actions haven’t been very left (locking the Greens out of the security meetings in favour of Shearer for example, singing the praises of ‘free trade’, appointing King and stating she’d only be in the role for 12 months, but (how long?) later…)

           A wee while back I concluded that Little is to NZ Labour what Smith would have been to UK Labour had he successfully defeated Corbyn. Is it worth noting that Smith et al put on the reasonable smiley smileys as they attempted to convince Corbyn to step aside “for the good of the party” before the leadership contest in much the way that Little may have or presumably did with Cunliffe?

           Way I’ve viewed it is that the only reason Cunliffe isn’t occupying the same (not envied) space as Corbyn, is because NZ Labour is much, much less democratic than UK Labour (one person one vote).
           • adam 1.1.1.1.1.1

             1 March 2017 at 12:03 pm

             Come on Bill the labour is a broad church, but, it’s only a broad church if you adhere to liberalism. Liberalism, does not want socialism ruing the party.

             So if you look at it like that, Little was never a socialist, because he never was to begin with.
             • weka …

               1 March 2017 at 12:05 pm

               yeah, but within Liberalism, Little would be on the left presumably.
               • adam …

                 1 March 2017 at 12:16 pm

                 If your not talking about economics, then left and right have proven to be irrelevant. He could be fluff if that is the debate.

                 The other point weka, is Bill knows this – it’s utter pointless to discuss that labour is socialist party, or even discuss the possibility that it could be. That is a lie, and one which only hurts working class people.
                 • weka …

                   1 March 2017 at 12:18 pm

                   Crikey. Ok, so no point in changing the govt then?
                   • adam …

                     1 March 2017 at 12:23 pm

                     We don’t elect new governments, we vote them out.
                   • weka …

                     1 March 2017 at 12:37 pm

                     That doesn’t answer my question 🙂
                   • adam …

                     1 March 2017 at 12:44 pm

                     We are getting a change of government because the current one is so terrible. Only a fool can’t see that, and on this web site quite a few on the right are in that camp.

                     As for you question I though it was rhetorical, I assumed you understood where I stand politically.
                   • weka …

                     1 March 2017 at 12:51 pm

                     Just seen the edit on the previous comment. I didn’t take Bill’s comment as to being about socialism and Labour (didn’t understand the UK reference though).

                     You said,

                     “If your not talking about economics, then left and right have proven to be irrelevant.”

                     I was suggesting that there are still valid reasons for discussing the differences, and what if any capacity Labour has to move left (within the Liberalism spectrum if you like).

                     I understand some but not all of your views, always interested to hear more 🙂 (just if you feel like it though).

                     I guess I would take it that you see left or not within Labour as a rearranging the deck chairs thing, when what we really need to be talking about is how to make the deeper, far more important changes. I’d probably agree with that (although my focus isn’t primarily economic), just not sure if this thread is the place for that.
                 • Carolyn_nth …

                   2 March 2017 at 8:37 am

                   adam: If your not talking about economics, then left and right have proven to be irrelevant.

                   Really? Then people better stop referring to the German 3rd Reich as right wing. And someone better get some revisions of the wikipedia page on right wing.

                   The terms right and left in politics have always been to do with power issues. It began with French politics and those opposed to the entrenched power of the monarchy.

                   Economics is only vehicle, structure, or mode of achieving power within capitalist and other forms of society.

                   wikipedia says:

                   Although the right-wing originated with traditional conservatives, monarchists and reactionaries, the term extreme right-wing has also been applied to movements including fascists, Nazis, and racial supremacists.[23]

                   In the United States, the Right includes both economic and social conservatives.[24] In Europe, economic conservatives are usually considered liberal, and the Right includes nationalists, nativist opposition to immigration, religious conservatives, and historically a significant presence of right-wing movements with anti-capitalist sentiments including conservatives and fascists who opposed what they saw as the selfishness and excessive materialism inherent in contemporary capitalism.

                   Note also this from reference.com

                   The general consensus among political scientists is that “left wing” includes liberals, progressives, socialists and communists, and the “right wing” includes conservatives, traditionalists, reactionaries and fascists. Political parties can be described as moderate, center-right, center-left, far-right and far-left to more accurately express nuances on the left-right spectrum.

                   Where is your evidence that says:

                   If your not talking about economics, then left and right have proven to be irrelevant?
             • Bill …

               1 March 2017 at 12:52 pm

               🙂 in terms of everything in Labour being away to the right, my hope was that Andrew Little wasn’t quite so’ right out there’…and sure, a church (very western and patriarchal thing that it may be) insists on the congregation gathering around some central premise or some basic tenets, and as far as Labour’s concerned, socialism is the devil and socialists are to be damned and buried in unconsecrated ground as it were…maybe thrown into purgatory on a good day.

               Labour can never be socialist because there are way too many contradictions contained in that proposition. But they could be social democratic – which only embraces degrees of hypocrisy rather than contradiction. 😉
               • adam …

                 1 March 2017 at 12:58 pm

                 I’d be happy if the labour party was social democratic. But I’m not seeing that in any of their economic policy. Maybe a change in deputy leader will bring that, but I won’t hold my breath.
                 • Chris …

                   1 March 2017 at 7:20 pm

                   Ardern as deputy won’t change what Labour says or does one jot. When she was Labour’s welfare spokesperson she regularly responded to claims Labour didn’t give a toss about the poor with “just wait until we announce our policy.” And of course that policy never arrived, apart from accepting nat-driven anti-poor legislation like what happened in 2014. She’s more of the fucking same.
           • weka 1.1.1.1.1.2

             1 March 2017 at 12:13 pm

             “Careerist. Centrist. Same thing.”

             Wouldn’t a careerist go with whatever was the best option for the career? i.e. could support a move left or right. That being a bit different from centrist which doesn’t want any movement except to the centre.

             “Way I’ve viewed it is that the only reason Cunliffe isn’t occupying the same (not envied) space as Corbyn, is because NZ Labour is much, much less democratic than UK Labour (one person one vote).”

             Probably something to be thankful for. I don’t think DC was up to it, nor was he as left as Corbyn. If the membership had had its way and DC had stayed, I think the same neoliberal/left war would be happening within NZ Labour and there’d be no chance of a change of govt. DC had his chance to pull caucus into line and he failed. At least Little has manage that.

             “I thought Andrew Little would have been to the left of the Labour caucus. But from the get-go his announcements and actions haven’t been very left (locking the Greens out of the security meetings in favour of Shearer for example, singing the praises of ‘free trade’, appointing King and stating she’d only be in the role for 12 months, but (how long?) later…)”

             Yep, left relative to Labour, but not the NZ political spectrum in general. Not sure that DC would have been that different by now. However I do wonder if much of what Little does is less to do with his political views and more to do with what is possible within the internal culture of Labour. Not just caucus, but members esp those active at the LEC and higher levels. If he pushed left harder, he’d be in Corbyn’s position. Until that internal conflict over neoliberalism is sorted, I can’t see Labour moving very much. It will probably happen over time if they get the candidate selection process right, but I don’t have a very good sense of how conservative/radical the people involved in that are.
   • Chris 1.2

     2 March 2017 at 7:51 am

     “Captured by the right, rolled by the centre.” Stick that on a Labour election campaign bochure.
2. BM 2

   1 March 2017 at 10:01 am

   I doubt this was voluntary.
   • Ovid 2.1

     1 March 2017 at 10:12 am

     If she was forced out there already would have been grizzling from some sectors of caucus. This is not the case.
   • weka 2.2

     1 March 2017 at 10:13 am

     I doubt it matters. More important is that Labour are having a fairly smooth transition. Good on them.
     • BM 2.2.1

       1 March 2017 at 10:28 am

       Not that you’d know, unless someone leaks.
       • weka 2.2.1.1

         1 March 2017 at 10:41 am

         So either Little has gotten caucus to a place where the leaks no longer happen, or the deputy leadership change is happening smoothly. Both good.
         • DoublePlusGood 2.2.1.1.1

           1 March 2017 at 12:21 pm

           Or someone’s laptop is broken…
       • greg 2.2.1.2

         1 March 2017 at 9:03 pm

         oh BM since great leader abandoned ship your sounding more deranged everyday.
   • Gabby 2.3

     1 March 2017 at 11:35 am

     McCarsehole brainwave.
     • marty mars 2.3.1

       1 March 2017 at 12:18 pm

       Yes you are but what do you think?
       • Gabby 2.3.1.1

         1 March 2017 at 12:33 pm

         Somebody folded like a cheap suit.
         • marty mars 2.3.1.1.1

           1 March 2017 at 12:44 pm

           Not matt
           • Gabby 2.3.1.1.1.1

             1 March 2017 at 9:30 pm

             How long before he’s ‘available’ for a list spot.
             • marty mars …

               1 March 2017 at 9:38 pm

               dunno – I know he had a health scare a wee while ago – I’d imagine being in the house of fools is well down his bucket list.
   • dave 2.4

     1 March 2017 at 7:25 pm

     Exactly. A few days ago there was absolutely no vacancy we were assured, and jacinda not up to the job (sadly true).
     king amongst the best labour has, but a little tainted by the connections to the eighties and not very forward looking.
3. Sorrwerdna 3

   1 March 2017 at 10:04 am

   Perhaps now we won’t have to listen to her verbal diatribe during question time.
4. Reality 4

   1 March 2017 at 10:06 am

   Bill & BM – what ungracious bitter comments. What sad souls.
5. r0b 5

   1 March 2017 at 10:07 am

   Thank you Annette King for everything you have done (and will I hope continue to do!) for the party.
   • marty mars 5.1

     1 March 2017 at 10:35 am

     Yep – good move I think because it is well before the election and it shows clear signals to the electorate. I dont know or care really if it is a good move content wise but the application spot on. All the best Annette.
   • Karen 5.2

     1 March 2017 at 11:27 am

     +1 Rob
   • Enough is Enough 5.3

     1 March 2017 at 11:56 am

     I would extend r0b’s comment to include everything she has done for the country as opposed to the party.

     Party politics is at heart a nasty game so I don’t really care what people do for their particular tribal affiliation.

     But Annette was a true servant of the country. She was respected on both sides of the house which shows what a wonderful person she is.
   • Jenny Kirk 5.4

     1 March 2017 at 3:46 pm

     Agree 100% rOb
6. Sacha 6

   1 March 2017 at 10:08 am

   Resigning from parliament altogether at the election, apparently. Great to see the party recognise it needs to refresh its caucus. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/325599/annette-king-to-stand-down-as-deputy-labour-leader
   • David C 6.1

     1 March 2017 at 10:36 am

     Is Andy going to install himself in Kings seat?

     At 26% he knows he wont get in on the list.
     • weka 6.1.1

       1 March 2017 at 11:01 am

       Are you suggesting that Labour will put their leader in a position on the list where he might not get elected?
       • Andrew 6.1.1.1

         1 March 2017 at 11:25 am

         He is saying that Labour may not get any list MP’s at the election if their vote drops any further given the number of electorate MP’s they will get. So even #1 on the list may not get in based on projected electorate wins.
         • weka 6.1.1.1.1

           1 March 2017 at 11:31 am

           Ah, ok. I think it’s a given that Labour and the left assume that Labour’s vote will be higher at the election. If Labour’s % drops that far I think Little being in parliament or not will be the least of our worries.
     • Robert Guyton 6.1.2

       1 March 2017 at 11:11 am

       David C’s our resident, “Little is hopeless” troll. Clouds of negativity gather about his head. His mission? Deflate Andrew Little’s balloon. Party pooper, our “David C”.
       • David C 6.1.2.1

         1 March 2017 at 11:17 am

         RG.
         Its like saying water is wet.
         Trolling, not so much.
       • marty mars 6.1.2.2

         1 March 2017 at 12:20 pm

         Yeah David c is the child who causes a code Brown in the pool – a grate contributor
     • Reality 6.1.3

       1 March 2017 at 11:22 am

       Keep up David C – Paul Eagle is standing in the Rongotai electorate. It was announced some time ago.
       • Matthew Whitehead 6.1.3.1

         1 March 2017 at 2:03 pm

         For those unfamiliar with Paul Eagle, he’s the sitting Labour Councillor in the southern ward that most closely corresponds to Rongotai. He’ll likely keep the seat safe as a Labour win from Teall Crossen and whoever the Nats pick. (The non-labour electorate vote is getting close to being equally divided between the Green and National candidates as of 2014, see http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/electorate-46.html, but this might change given the electorate candidate will no longer be a co-leader with huge public visibility. We’ll see how Teall does.)
         • TTD 6.1.3.1.1

           1 March 2017 at 6:49 pm

           Teall Crossen will win Rongotai, Paul Eagle is a clown.
           The Rongotai electorate is basically the Southern and Eastern wards combined

           The Green Candidate was not that far behind Eagle in
           Southern ward WCC elections 2016
           And the Green candidate in the Eastern ward got the most votes (Sarah Lee)

           Although with the cycle-way controversy Eagle increased his vote by 1000 ish

           Which is good, but then so did the Green candidate David Lee,

           Eagle would be better suited to being a United Future candidate, as that would match his politics.
     • John 6.1.4

       1 March 2017 at 5:44 pm

       No he’s not. Labour has already selected it’s Rongotai cadidate for the 2017 election. Please check your facts before making wild statements
7. Robert Guyton 7

   1 March 2017 at 10:08 am

   Must have read Trotter’s column. Annette King was lethal at Question Time. She called it straight – I especially remember her reaction to Key’s disgraceful throat-slitting performance.
   • Sanctuary 7.1

     1 March 2017 at 10:46 am

     If voters paid attention to question time Key would have provoked disgust and revulsion not popularity; And if Key could (in the words of Bill English) “Bounce from cloud to cloud” while others did the hard graft then why can’t Jacinda?

     These days elections are popularity contests fought as much in the pages of the Women’s Magazines and the society pages of the tabloid papers as they are on policy releases and worthy speeches.
   • Heather Grimwood 7.2

     1 March 2017 at 11:02 am

     I look forward to some months yet of Annette’s work at question time! Always incisive and on target. You will have been great mentor Annette to the following echelon. Every good wish.
     • Red 7.2.1

       1 March 2017 at 2:13 pm

       Who really gives a continental about question time barring political tragics, even the poli don’t take it seriously, thats if they turn up or are awake
   • Matthew Whitehead 7.3

     1 March 2017 at 2:05 pm

     Interesting, I actually thought that Annette’s strongest point was how engaged she was with constituents, and wasn’t quite as big a fan of her performances in Question Time as you are. (not to say she wasn’t quite good, she obviously was, just that I didn’t view it as the highlight of what she did as an MP) I never wrote her a letter that wasn’t replied to, and she even came into my mentions on twitter every time I tagged her, lol. 🙂
8. Reality 8

   1 March 2017 at 10:08 am

   Include Sorrwhatever in that response.
   • Draco T Bastard 8.1

     1 March 2017 at 10:14 am

     All the RWNJs will be in here with their daggers.
     • marty mars 8.1.1

       1 March 2017 at 10:39 am

       Yep and the bitterness of some makes the mouth pucker – it’s like nothing is good enough for some sad sacks.
     • HDCAFriendlyTroll 8.1.2

       1 March 2017 at 10:53 am

       Stab. Stab. Stab.

       Labour – moving one step closer to being NZ’s version of America’s Democrat party.
       • weka 8.1.2.1

         1 March 2017 at 11:09 am

         What, dazed and confused by the fascist take over of their country?
         • HDCAFriendlyTroll 8.1.2.1.1

           1 March 2017 at 11:18 am

           The identity politics party.
           • weka 8.1.2.1.1.1

             1 March 2017 at 11:33 am

             🙄 That’s a boring and irrelevant slur.
             • HDCAFriendlyTroll …

               1 March 2017 at 11:36 am

               If you think people will vote for her for any reason other than she has a vagina and been on a few womens’ magazine covers I have a bridge to sell you.
               • weka …

                 1 March 2017 at 12:14 pm

                 Ooh, now a misogynistic slur, well done. I don’t have a problem with vagina voting myself. Women are quite capable of being competent politicians.
                 • lprent …

                   1 March 2017 at 1:25 pm

                   I have generally found that fools.who feel the need to be misogynist are usually kind of inadequete. They try to shout off their inferiority by waving their dickwit around like it is a tiny talisman.
                 • HDCAFriendlyTroll …

                   1 March 2017 at 1:45 pm

                   Indeed there are. Helen Clark, Hilary Clinton, Gold Meir – to name just a few. But if you don’t think Jacinda is where she is because she has a vagina then please tell me how at just 39 years old she’s distinguished herself i.e. what has she done?

                   Voting for someone just because they have a vagina is just a wrong as the old boys network voting for someone just because they have a penis.
                   • Draco T Bastard …

                     1 March 2017 at 2:35 pm

                     But if you don’t think Jacinda is where she is because she has a vagina then please tell me how at just 39 years old she’s distinguished herself i.e. what has she done?

                     Quite a bit actually. Perhaps you should do a bit of research rather than demanding that others do it for you?
                   • Groundhog …

                     1 March 2017 at 2:55 pm

                     Student.
                     Political Researcher.
                     Political Policy Advisor.
                     President of the International Union of Socialist Youth.
                     Politician.

                     In other words, just another trougher. No real world experience. A perfect Labour Party deputy.
                   • lprent []

                     1 March 2017 at 3:12 pm

                     For real-world experience one can’t go past Trump, and he is a complete government idiot.

                     Perhaps you have a stupid set of values for what is good for politicians.

                     Incidentally from my perspective in private sector business complete with an MBA and a toe in politics, I’d say that ‘real world’ experience is completely overrated. What is useful is relevant experience – something that you so clearly lack.
                   • David C …

                     1 March 2017 at 3:14 pm

                     Groundhog.
                     Tut tut.
                     You forgot, She worked part time in a fish and chip shop.
                   • weka …

                     1 March 2017 at 3:26 pm

                     “Voting for someone just because they have a vagina is just a wrong as the old boys network voting for someone just because they have a penis”

                     As long as we have an old boys network still running the show, voting for vaginas is a valid political act. I’d apply a bit of nuance to that of course. If you have two useless politicians to choose between, what is your criteria for picking then? Because I can guarantee you that there will be whole bunch of people that choose the penis over the vagina, because it is a penis.
                   • weka …

                     1 March 2017 at 3:34 pm

                     Oh you would. But then you support a party who has made their private parts a greater attribute than what a person has actually achieved.

                     Ok, seeing as how the thread that is about replacing one female politician with another is now descending into a misogyny-fest…

                     Your position basically states that the women candidates and MPs in Labour are not as good as the men, therefore creating gender equity is by definition a choice for the lesser person.

                     Do you think this is true for the Greens too?

                     And do you think that National are better because they don’t have gender equity built in? If there’s no sexism involved in that, how do you explain gender not evening out across the party?
                   • joe90 …

                     1 March 2017 at 3:40 pm

                     Student.
                     Political Researcher.
                     Political Policy Advisor.
                     President of the International Union of Socialist Youth.
                     Politician.

                     In other words, just another trougher. No real world experience. A perfect Labour Party deputy

                     .

                     Student.
                     Farm hand.
                     Political wannabee
                     Treasury wank .
                     Tory.

                     In other words, a life on the public tit. No real world experience. A perfect Tory fool.

                     FIFY
                     /
                   • HDCAFriendlyTroll …

                     1 March 2017 at 3:41 pm

                     “As long as we have an old boys network still running the show, voting for vaginas is a valid political act.”

                     ie. The same reasoning as positive discrimination.

                     ” I’d apply a bit of nuance to that of course. If you have two useless politicians to choose between, what is your criteria for picking then?

                     The giant douche vs the turd sandwich. I’d vote for neither.

                     “Because I can guarantee you that there will be whole bunch of people that choose the penis over the vagina, because it is a penis.”

                     No arguments here. There are plenty of male chauvinists around.

                     “Your position basically states that the women candidates and MPs in Labour are not as good as the men, therefore creating gender equity is by definition a choice for the lesser person.”

                     I reckon Annette King would have made a better leader than Andrew Little. Still think I’m being misogynist?
                   • weka …

                     1 March 2017 at 3:48 pm

                     Probably. Just because you like one woman doesn’t mean that you don’t support the oppression of women in general.

                     I see you avoided responding to the central point about sexism in being against gender equity in parliament.
                   • HDCAFriendlyTroll …

                     1 March 2017 at 7:02 pm

                     “Probably. Just because you like one woman doesn’t mean that you don’t support the oppression of women in general.”

                     That’s like me saying because you have a pommie friend doesn’t mean that you don’t don’t like poms in general.

                     “I see you avoided responding to the central point about sexism in being against gender equity in parliament.”

                     Why would I be against gender equity in parliament? What I’m against is forced gender equity. If say the best people to be in parliament turn out to be mostly women then we have a parliament of mostly women.
                   • North …

                     1 March 2017 at 7:41 pm

                     Friendly Troll HUDCAP………you’re showing unusual amount of ‘stuffie’ about Jacinda aren’t you bro’ ?
               • DoublePlusGood …

                 1 March 2017 at 12:44 pm

                 People voted for John Key because he was a rich guy who made stupid jokes and went on magazine covers. Vacuous crap like that is about the only thing that gets votes in New Zealand these days.
                 • HDCAFriendlyTroll …

                   1 March 2017 at 2:10 pm

                   The old schoolboy charm.
               • sam green …

                 1 March 2017 at 9:16 pm

                 Responding to the 11:36 comment from HDCAFriendlyTroll

                 This comment an hour earlier from David Farrar on Kiwiblog:

                 2,011 COMMENTS
                 David Farrar

                 Nick was pushed out, and it was after three days not two weeks.

                 If you think King wasn’t pushed out, I have a bridge to sell you.

                 Thumb up 70 Thumb down 0REPLY REPORTMARCH 1, 2017 10:37AM

                 Fishy much.
                 • Muttonbird …

                   1 March 2017 at 9:29 pm

                   Right wing nut jobs aren’t big on independent thought.
               • HDCAFriendlyTroll …

                 1 March 2017 at 9:41 pm

                 ‘Friendly Troll HUDCAP………you’re showing unusual amount of ‘stuffie’ about Jacinda aren’t you bro’ ?”

                 The convo somehow segwayed into a discussion about “sexism” and “misogyny” because I suggested that Jacinda is only where she is because she has a vagina.
     • inspider 8.1.3

       1 March 2017 at 10:56 am

       Borrowed from Labour’s caucus, still dripping Annette’s political blood.
       • McFlock 8.1.3.1

         1 March 2017 at 11:13 am

         inorite? She’s only been in parliament a couple of years – oh, wait…
       • Draco T Bastard 8.1.3.2

         1 March 2017 at 2:36 pm

         Haven’t seen any backstabbing of Annette by Labour.

         In fact, the only backstabbing I’ve ever seen is by the RWNJs.
   • JanM 8.2

     1 March 2017 at 10:16 am

     Indeed – they must have leapt straight on to this site as soon as they heard the news – there’s something peculiarly twisted about the right wing brain; it seems to work almost perpetually in negative mode
9. The decrypter 9

   1 March 2017 at 10:15 am

   Boy Bennett may well regret her” zip it sweety remark”
   • Grantoc 9.1

     1 March 2017 at 11:43 am

     I doubt it.

     That put down defined the relationship between the two of them then and nothing has changed since.

     Bennett will be relishing the opportunity to engage with Arden when she is appointed deputy leader of Labour.
10. inspider 10

    1 March 2017 at 10:22 am

    Gosh, only two days ago on rnz when asked if Annette would be deputy leader at the election Little said there is no change and no vacancy no stepping aside in the deputy’s role.

    And Jacinda said the debate was a beltway issue and in the media only, it was a distraction and not an issue for either Annette or her.

    If this was Bill English I wouldn’t be surprised to see a sudden u-turn like this join Ad’s long long list.
    • Robert Guyton 10.1

      1 March 2017 at 11:03 am

      “Gosh”, says inspider.
      Will he lead his next comment with “golly”?
    • Infused 10.2

      1 March 2017 at 12:24 pm

      That’s why it was so stupid of Little to do it.
    • bwaghorn 10.3

      1 March 2017 at 1:48 pm

      if you had been paying attention you would know this has been on the cards for a long time , when King was appointed it was as interim dp till things calmed down in labour. of course you probably know that but prefer to act? dumb
11. David C 11

    1 March 2017 at 10:33 am

    A capable, loyal, respected, hardworking and repeatedly elected politician being replaced by a list MP with nice teeth.

    Go Andy. Winning. Yip.
    • Ovid 11.1

      1 March 2017 at 11:03 am

      King is 69. She’d be 70 at the general election. Perhaps she decided to take the opportunity to enjoy retirement.
    • Robert Guyton 11.2

      1 March 2017 at 11:03 am

      “Yip”, says David C.
      Like a little fox, with needle-sharp teeth, yip, yip, yip
      • David C 11.2.1

        1 March 2017 at 11:19 am

        RG
        You are more than a little obsessed by me.
        is there something I should know?
        Do you want to fuck me?
        • Robert Guyton 11.2.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 11:52 am

          solicit
          səˈlɪsɪt/
          verb
          gerund or present participle: soliciting

          accost someone and offer one’s or someone else’s services as a prostitute.
          “although prostitution was not itself an offence, soliciting was”
          synonyms: work as a prostitute, engage in prostitution, accost people, make sexual advances, tout (for business); informalhustle
          “prostitutes gather in the centre of the city to solicit”

          Is this a first for The Standard?

          Certainly a new low.
          • marty mars 11.2.1.1.1

            1 March 2017 at 12:47 pm

            Hey David c is IN property – more respect for his upsetness please
            • David C 11.2.1.1.1.1

              1 March 2017 at 3:21 pm

              marty.

              Its a beautiful day, sun is shining, the sea is like glass tho a bit cool.
              I am loving life.

              Annette King might just be wondering what She did you deserve the knifing tho.
          • adam 11.2.1.1.2

            1 March 2017 at 1:05 pm

            It’s election year Robert Guyton, expect it to get lower. Sorry to say it, but if the past is any measure, and the fact that the Tory government is in tatters, expect their supporters to get real nasty.
        • Ffloyd 11.2.1.2

          1 March 2017 at 11:56 am

          You, little person are disgusting. That’s to DC.
12. Skinny 12

    1 March 2017 at 10:42 am

    Labour and Little especially are all over the shop. From “no intentions of a reshuffle.” To this flip flop. It should have been mooted at the Mt Albert by-election victory party. Very poor handling. I am losing faith in Labour very fast.

    Greens & NZF are looking much more organised this election.
    • marty mars 12.1

      1 March 2017 at 10:45 am

      Have faith skinny it will all work out.
    • weka 12.2

      1 March 2017 at 11:11 am

      “It should have been mooted at the Mt Albert by-election victory party. Very poor handling.”

      I”m guessing at that point King wasn’t intending to retire.
      • Anne 12.2.1

        1 March 2017 at 11:44 am

        I”m guessing at that point King wasn’t intending to retire.

        Exactly, and that is why Andrew Little was adamant there would be no changes.

        I don’t blame Annette for changing her mind. She can see six months of constant ear-bashing ahead of her from all quarters… the Hootons, the Watkins and their media political look-alikes and the rest of the commentating fraternity – not to mention the younger members of Labour, some of whom still don’t have a lot of political nous under their belts as we recently witnessed.

        Why should she put up with such crap after decades of hard yakka and total loyalty to the Labour Party. Two to three years ago on this site I made some harsh criticisms of Annette during a highly controversial time. They were said in the heat of the moment and I bitterly regret making them. If Annette reads this post, I hope she will accept my apologies.

        Labour will miss her wise counsel and her super agile brain. May her considerable contribution to NZ and NZ politics be fully recognised in the very near future.
        • Groundhog 12.2.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 3:02 pm

          [deleted]

          [lprent: troll banned earlier. ]
          • Anne 12.2.1.1.1

            1 March 2017 at 3:20 pm

            Little is telling porkies on this one. Add it to the list.

            Liar.

            On Sunday Little had no reason to expect Annette’s resignation.

            Didn’t read the rest of my comment did you.

            I say it again. It doesn’t surprise me Annette changed her mind. Nobody is in a better position to recognise what was occurring in the past few days and how it was going to play out. She knew she was on a hiding to nothing by a Nat-leaning media and their ever-ready shills like Hooton and Watkins et al. She correctly identified yet another Crosby/Textor type trick to make it look like Labour was unstable and ‘not ready for government’.

            She decided to put the party first… and that’s the act of someone with bucket loads of loyalty and integrity.
            • Jenny Kirk 12.2.1.1.1.1

              1 March 2017 at 3:51 pm

              Yes – I totally agree with you there, Anne. And there are a lot of rightwing trollers who’ve come out here today – not worth taking any notice of.
      • Skinny 12.2.2

        1 March 2017 at 1:44 pm

        Well I doubt that. I had a crack at her over an oral question and said she needed to call it a day. She PM’d me back with some lame excuse. To her credit she did pick her game up but did moot the idea of moving on.

        Labour were gutless during the by-election. I am not going into it here. Butt I want the social liberal academics in the party to know I dislike you neo liberal fuckers keeping the ‘workers party’ central. It has taken years to move out Goff, Shearer and soon Cosgrove and King. Dyson and Mallard need to go to and some other dead beats. The problem is the new blood as candidates are mostly neo liberals. I actually think Harre is a good thing well done the Left of the party. Keep weeding out rot.
        • red-blooded 12.2.2.1

          1 March 2017 at 8:00 pm

          Skinny, how about a bit of respect for hardworking, dedicated MPs? You don’t have to agree with every one of their decisions or statements, but none of these people is “rot” – and King has worked her guts out and been an integral part of the leadership team that has helped settle and focus Labour in the last few years. She’s also been a bloody good Minister and Health spokesperson.
      • Red 12.2.3

        1 March 2017 at 2:17 pm

        Tui add in that, ” Annette was not pushed” Yeah right
13. Wayne 13

    1 March 2017 at 10:46 am

    Sensible move by Labour. The major parties have to have either the Leader or the Deputy out of Auckland.

    The biggest risk is that Ardern may well overshadow Little over the next few months. Although perhaps that is a positive?
    • Infused 13.1

      1 March 2017 at 10:50 am

      Likely a positive.
    • inspider 13.2

      1 March 2017 at 10:51 am

      Are Aucklanders that vacuous? I think this is just a media meme unquestioningly repeated.
      • Gabby 13.2.1

        1 March 2017 at 11:39 am

        Yes, they are.
        • Draco T Bastard 13.2.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 2:40 pm

          No, only the ones that vote National or ACT are.
          • Gabby 13.2.1.1.1

            1 March 2017 at 9:42 pm

            The ones who don’t vote at all have hidden depths?
        • AB 13.2.1.2

          1 March 2017 at 2:47 pm

          Yeah – I’m one and the never-ending pull of vacuousness is irresistible in this city. Stuck in a traffic jam one day I suddenly felt concerned about Hilary Barry replacing that lovely girl with the dark hair (damn I’m so vacuous I’ve forgotten her name already) on breakfast tv. It choked me up so much that I tail-ended a really nice SUV in front.
    • HDCAFriendlyTroll 13.3

      1 March 2017 at 10:51 am

      “The biggest risk is that Ardern may well overshadow Little over the next few months.”

      I’m sure he wouldn’t be nominating her if that was the case. Come on, give him some intelligence.
      • Infused 13.3.1

        1 March 2017 at 11:01 am

        If he was intelligent, he wouldn’t have done this.
        • HDCAFriendlyTroll 13.3.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 11:21 am

          At least now he can say to her supporters in the Labour party – “Hey, I’m on your side!” Team Andrew and Jacinda. Or “Jandrew” if you prefer.
          • Doogs 13.3.1.1.1

            2 March 2017 at 7:23 am

            I like Andrinda better.
    • Reality 13.4

      1 March 2017 at 11:01 am

      Wayne, Hmm is that Paula Bennett hiding behind the curtains while Bill English makes his mark making his comments about New Zealanders being “hopeless and drug addicted”. To tar everyone with the same brush is totally unfair and I would have thought he would have a more Christian outlook on life.
      • Doogs 13.4.1

        2 March 2017 at 7:27 am

        Oh yes, of course everyone is the same. Why swap your paintbrush for another one. It gets the job done. Willy Wanker is like all of his religious ilk – spare the rod and spoil the child! Quite and autocratic father I would imagine.
    • mauī 13.5

      1 March 2017 at 1:05 pm

      The biggest risk is that Ardern may well overshadow Little over the next few months.

      I can see the Watkins and Trevett of the munted scream media sharpening their keyboards as we speak.
      • Matthew Whitehead 13.5.1

        1 March 2017 at 1:11 pm

        That’s not a risk, that’s the ideal scenario tbqh. I’d be far more worried about what happens if Ms Ardern isn’t ready to be deputy, because I don’t hear good things about her dynamic with the caucus, she’s apparently a bit hostile and the party needs someone who will actually bring them together in both top slots.
        • weka 13.5.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 1:14 pm

          It does bring up the issue of what a deputy leader is for.
          • Matthew Whitehead 13.5.1.1.1

            1 March 2017 at 1:25 pm

            Depends on the Party Leader. They certainly need to be ready to be Deputy PM, and in my view, their job is to cover any weak areas the top MP has. If your leader is a policy person, you put someone stronger on charisma into the deputy role, or vice-versa. You have to appoint someone who’s ready to be a leader, but also doesn’t mind staying in the background enough to avoid overshining the actual leader. (this is one of the strengths in the Green model of having two co-leaders rather than a deputy, of course- you don’t have to worry about whose profile is higher all the time) Essentially kiwis should be confident that between the two of them there’s no area of the country that won’t be well-handled, and I don’t really think Jacandrew gives that impression, (It’s nice they’re looking at someone a little more liberal than Little as deputy, but for instance, I would heavily have considered having a finance or economic development spokesperson as deputy, not that I particular like the current people in those portfolios for deputy either) but YMMV.

            I will of course support them how I can if that’s Labour’s decision, but it would be nice to say that I have complete confidence they chose the right person. That said, it makes the case for, say, Metiria as deputy PM easier. 😉
    • Matthew Whitehead 13.6

      1 March 2017 at 1:15 pm

      I think you mean “Wellington.” Annette and Andrew are both Wellingtonians. (Actually, Annette is technically Andrew’s MP until she stands down 😉 ) Jacinda is the Aucklander.

      Personally, I don’t think it matters too much whether the leader and deputy are from the same area so long as the party as a whole has a strong voice for both the regions and the cities. There are some constituencies that inevitable the top two spots may share. It does send a good message to have them be from different areas, sure, but I’m not as convinced that it’s as necessary as people are saying, especially as the rest of the country is roughly as dismissive of Wellington as it is of Auckland.
    • Red 13.7

      1 March 2017 at 2:19 pm

      Not likely she has very little substance or credibility
14. Jenny Kirk 14

    1 March 2017 at 10:48 am

    I’m sorry to see Annette leave her deputy leader spot – she’s been superb in it – making constant “digs” at the Nats, making them squirm – in the House, especially at Question Time – and being supporting to new Leader, Andrew Little.
    And in saying this, despite having observed her being a supporter of Rogernomics in the 1980s – people can change their minds, their philosophy – and that is what Annette has done. She was great as a Minister of Health, as well.
    She deserves her retirement. I wish her all the best, and hope she thoroughly enjoys her new life.
    • McFlock 14.1

      1 March 2017 at 11:15 am

      +1

      She’s been pretty good on health in this millenium 🙂
      • Rosemary McDonald 14.1.1

        1 March 2017 at 7:36 pm

        “She’s been pretty good on health in this millenium ”

        An opinion shared by the ASMS…http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1703/S00005/senior-doctors-acknowledge-annette-kings-work-in-health.htm

        “As Minister of Health she has left us with two invaluable legislative legacies that the current Government has ended up supporting. One is the creation of district health boards responsible for their defined populations. They replaced the disastrous business company model that had left our health system in such a dire state.

        “The second is the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act, which extended and strengthened protective safety regulation to a range of health practitioner groups. We had concerns about how some provisions of her bill might be too narrowly interpreted. But, by engaging directly with her, Annette King provided the necessary clarification in the third reading of the bill in Parliament.

        “These are two powerful legacies that are standing the test of time. Equally important was her raising of the profile and importance of the ‘non-sexy’ subject of health promotion, such as health eating. The benefits of health promotion are normally longer term rather than immediate (compared with surgery, for example) but vital to the well-being of the public. It has been tempting for politicians to downplay health promotion. Annette King is not one of those politicians.

        “ASMS had some sharp differences with her as Health Minister. This is almost inevitable when health ministers deal with advocacy organisations. But rather than use this as a pretext to disengage, her approach was to increase engagement.”

        “We acknowledge Annette King’s significant and sustained contribution to our public health system, our disappointment that she is leaving Parliament, and wish her and her infectious personality the best for the future.”

        Best bit…”ASMS had some sharp differences with her as Health Minister. This is almost inevitable when health ministers deal with advocacy organisations. But rather than use this as a pretext to disengage, her approach was to increase engagement.”

        Clearly a sharp scalpel aimed at the current incumbents….
        • McFlock 14.1.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 9:11 pm

          Yeah – apparently the requirement that district health boards should serve the needs of their communities was quite a change in approach
    • Rosemary McDonald 14.2

      1 March 2017 at 4:03 pm

      “…She was great as a Minister of Health, …”

      Hmmm…she could have sorted the whole issue of disabled adults being able to choose who was paid for providing the care they were assessed as needing before the issue went to the Human Rights Review Tribunal and ultimately led to the disgusting 2013 PHDAct (2) legislation. Annette didn’t, and a source I am inclined to trust said that Labour threatened to legislate against paying family carers before it even went to the Tribunal in 2008. Annette’s gumbeating in the House that day in 2013 left me cold….

      Maybe, just maybe I’ll try again to get some answers from her about why Labour happily shat on non- ACC disabled when they had the chance to improve things.

      Having said all of that…IMHO no other MP has ever managed to inject as much well deserved venom into the word “scumbag”…mouthed towards the Other Side in the heat of the fray.

      Jacinda’s silly camera flirting has undermined her credibility in my book…maybe the baubles of office will confer gravitas, and give her some solid ground upon which to build a reputation as a serious politician.
15. Bearded Git 15

    1 March 2017 at 11:04 am

    Shearer-Goff-King-Cosgrove…….all 4 of the Labour Right who accepted Sky City corporate box hospitality (while the Sky City corporate welfare casino debate was raging) are gone now.

    Little is playing a very smart game here…step by step.
16. Richard Olykan 16

    1 March 2017 at 11:16 am

    Well done Annette. I wish you all the very best in your well deserved retirement.
17. tangled_up 17

    1 March 2017 at 11:17 am

    Annette has been a strong & skilled MP.

    I think bringing in the widely popular Ardern is a smart political move by Labour.
18. McFlock 18

    1 March 2017 at 11:18 am

    So I stand corrected – all the “Ardern for deputy leader?” press speculation since the by-election seems to have been well informed.

    In fact, it might have been the plan on Labour’s side all along. In which case they’re not only not falling apart anymore, they’re actually becoming able to execute a coordinated and reasonably subtle (for nz politics) plan.

    Bodes well.
19. left_forward 19

    1 March 2017 at 11:46 am

    All the very best Annette – excellent work done.
    Her 2001 Primary Health Care Strategy was a masterpiece – the benefit of which has been slowly watered down by the Natz. I was quietly hoping that she would lead a revival of it as Minister of Health when Labour / Greens become Government later this year.
20. Cinny 20

    1 March 2017 at 12:04 pm

    LONG LIVE THE QUEEN 😀 Gosh I’ve loved your work so very much. THANK YOU FOR BEING 😀
    • weka 20.1

      1 March 2017 at 12:15 pm

      sorry, who is the queen in this scenario?
      • Cinny 20.1.1

        1 March 2017 at 12:16 pm

        Annette King is my Queen 😀
        • weka 20.1.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 12:39 pm

          I’m not sure what to say now, lol.
21. Cynical jester 21

    1 March 2017 at 12:59 pm

    told you so!! No tears here, she was a disloyal abc traitor who helped sabotage labour last election and a neoliberal career mp whose been in office since the 80s. Good riddance out with the old in with the new. Yay Jacinda!!
    • weka 21.1

      1 March 2017 at 1:11 pm

      Isn’t Jacinda a careerist too? Where did she come down on the ABC thing? And her position on neoliberalism?

      (I think it’s a good move regardless).
      • Cynical jester 21.1.1

        1 March 2017 at 1:18 pm

        Jacinda is young and obviously a career poli but of the new and extraordinary popular. I really like her. Annette imo was just a seat warmer i see jacinda as more of a social democrat due to the language she uses
        • weka 21.1.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 1:19 pm

          ok, ta.
      • Skinny 21.1.2

        1 March 2017 at 6:22 pm

        If you all haven’t worked it out Little is about to be rolled. The Princess branch appear to have been lining the ducks up for quite some time. Let’s face it at 7% in the polls Little hasn’t made the cut through required. The next round of preferred leader will be make or break Little. If Ardern is double his vote then Little must go. A fourth term National must be prevented, so Little is a pawn in the game of politics.
        • bwaghorn 21.1.2.1

          1 March 2017 at 6:28 pm

          well that’s just fucking depressing Skinny i hope you’re wrong
          • Skinny 21.1.2.1.1

            1 March 2017 at 6:54 pm

            Those social liberal academics wouldn’t know a what a hard days graft is. They have used the hype to parachute Adern in. Little is caught out thinking the push will stop at deputy. Of course Ardern is a light weight and a real risk should she push on further. It will all go horribly wrong the moment she gets top dog billing unless managed very wisely.

            There will be lots pissed off within the caucus, Robertson feeling stabbed, Wall feeling left out and others smiling like her plotter Twyford as deputy.

            That is how I see it.
            • Jenny Kirk 21.1.2.1.1.1

              1 March 2017 at 8:19 pm

              With friends like you, Skinny, Labour doesn’t need enemies !
              Why can’t you just shut up and stop spreading unfounded rumours.

              Do you, or don’t you, want a change of government and one that will bring back rail to the north ? If you do, then stop bagging Labour. Because only if Labour gets in as major partner of a coalition government will that happen.
              • Skinny …

                1 March 2017 at 9:43 pm

                Labour are up Goff’s arse, you know the neo liberal shill that was going to cross the floor along with 2 Snapper Shearer on the TPPA.

                King was part of the filthy ABC crew. So you can pipe down and zip it. I call it from the workers point of view. Thank your stars I don’t run a picket when Little fronts up next. That horse shit him fronting representing Maori against Morgan and the Maori-Tory party was a joke and they rightfully called him out. Where was Mahuta? Eating yum cha probably, another dead beat that should be joining King.

                At least Peters has a solid position on economic growth for regional New Zealand, not some wishy washy position like Labour, they suck.
                • weka …

                  1 March 2017 at 9:50 pm

                  Labour won’t support the formation of a 4th term NACT govt though. Peters is quite capable of that.
                • Jenny Kirk …

                  1 March 2017 at 10:25 pm

                  You’re talking nonsense, Skinny. You’re talking trump-ish-crap.
                  Yes – I can see you’ve turned from Labour to NZ First and you’re welcome to do that, but as a unionist you should know that Labour is the only political party capable of doing what you want – getting railway back up north.
                  Peters is not solid on anything – he wants the baubles of office, and you know it.
                  • Skinny …

                    2 March 2017 at 7:58 am

                    Jenny the issue we have with Labour is they are very hard to deal with, we certainly do not have the same problems with the Greens or NZF. It shows us they have scant respect for workers and are not organised as a political party should be. We have had 9 years of this nonsense, and quite frankly this latest comedy of errors as to the deputy leader is typical, and very disappointing coming on the back of one of their MP’s hiring a PR firm to attack the leader Little. My voice of disapproval is a reflection of what workers see and feel. Let this be the last distraction to removing this terrible Govt. Onwards and upwards in unity.
          • Anne 21.1.2.1.2

            1 March 2017 at 7:06 pm

            Skinny @21.1.2 is talking nonsense bwaghorn. The Princes St branch is made up of young students, many of whom like to big note but they have little power in the scheme of things.

            I could be wrong, but suspect they might have had something to do with the letter from Young Labour re-Willie Jackson’s return to the ranks. Their lack of political nous over that publicly released letter was firmly noted by the Labour leadership, which I imagine has not gone down very well with some in that branch.
          • Jenny Kirk 21.1.2.1.3

            1 March 2017 at 8:20 pm

            Yes bwaghorn – Skinny is bloddy wrong, and talking through his head hole !!
        • James 21.1.2.2

          1 March 2017 at 6:29 pm

          If Little is rolled, then the Nat’s plan has worked and they are far more formidable political planners than anyone could have anticipated.

          Jacinda is popular but only among those who already vote Labour or Greens.

          Either way, Labout is munted.
          • Jenny Kirk 21.1.2.2.1

            1 March 2017 at 8:22 pm

            James – Little is not about to be rolled. The caucus is united behind him. Labour has come a long way since the days of a disruptive caucus, and is now determined to win this 2017 election.
            But it doesn’t help to have gossipy blokes like Skinny speculating about something he knows nothing about.
            • James 21.1.2.2.1.1

              1 March 2017 at 9:37 pm

              A few predictions:

              Nats will run preferred PM polls in demographic areas that favour Ardern over Little (e.g. Grey Lynn, blue collar, Pakeha dominated areas) and will publish these via their PR/media machine.

              This will mean that every time Little gets in front of a camera/mic he will have to answer why his deputy is more popular than he. He will get (understandably) frustrated with this, which will dovetail perfectly with the Nats ‘angry Andy’ narrative (no temperament for leadership etc.).

              One of two things will then happen.

              1) Little’s leadership will be totally destabilized and the Nat’s will win
              2) Gracinda will coup and the Nat’s will win
        • marty mars 21.1.2.3

          1 March 2017 at 6:58 pm

          No mate English is about to be rolled – his leadership is shit, the rivers are shit, his leadership is shit – the stars are aligned Fernando – he is spinning like a helicopter throwup and his regurgitation’s are spraying all over innocent kiwis – he is GONE – paula and judith are sharpening EVERYTHING.
          • Skinny 21.1.2.3.1

            1 March 2017 at 7:09 pm

            Of course English is gone if there is a move on Little. Collins has been playing the stalking horse ready to pounce watching closely the moves across the house.
            • peterlepaysan 21.1.2.3.1.1

              1 March 2017 at 7:25 pm

              Horses pounce?
              • One Anonymous Bloke …

                1 March 2017 at 8:01 pm

                No: they charge.

                Oravida for ever!
              • weka …

                1 March 2017 at 8:10 pm

                stalking ones do I guess.
22. Matthew Whitehead 22

    1 March 2017 at 1:07 pm

    I’m gonna follow Annette’s example and be straightforward and honest.

    She is a good MP, and will be missed. She’s represented my electorate well.. She has done some great advocacy work in the health portfolio, and has been on the right side on most issues. She deserves an A+.

    But she’s also been in parliament a very long time. Parties should maintain a balance between experienced MPs and renewal, and Annette is one of the people in Labour who were tipping that balance in the wrong direction. However much we like her, she’s right that it was an appropriate time to go, and I kinda wish she had decided on this earlier in the term, so that she could have trained someone up a bit more in the health portfolio, as it’s going to potentially look like a weak area for Labour now, and we’re all worse off for that.

    That said, I hope that whoever comes on to replace her will help the Labour Party continue to look like NZ. It needs women of all ages, and there needs to be a place for new Annettes to be represented in that renewal- women with experience and mana who can tell us the truth. Renewal doesn’t necessarily mean everyone needs to be younger- you can give us fresh faces that represent the country in other ways too.

    That out of the way, let me say a quick word on whether Jacinda will be her replacement: I hope not. She’s not ready, she doesn’t have the policy experience that Annette had, and she needs more time. She’s great at campaigning and engaging the public, but doesn’t really seem like much of a leader to me. I can think of several possibilities, but none of them seem exactly right. I almost hope they pick someone who’s not yet in caucus as a statement of confidence that they can get list MPs in the upcoming election, and I definitely hope they pick another women, but I hope the Labour Caucus doesn’t simply rubber stamp Jacinda because they’ve been training her up to be a deputy.
    • weka 22.1

      1 March 2017 at 1:12 pm

      Nice point about renewal and age.

      Who do you think would work as Health Minister?
      • Matthew Whitehead 22.1.1

        1 March 2017 at 1:46 pm

        It’d be interesting to see what Sue Moroney made of it after having ACC, as the areas are pretty related.

        Louisa Wall is more than ready to be moved into cabinet too, so I would love having her in the health portfolio, as I doubt this would be one they’d toss to the Greens in a coalition deal. Honestly, they could basically give her anything and I’d trust her to get up to speed, she knows what she’s doing and works hard, and she’s only been kept a backbencher because of some weird cliquey behaviour. It would inspire a lot more confidence in Labour if that stopped.

        Jenny Salesa is the current associate, but I don’t really recall her having any high profile on health issues, but that may be because I don’t always follow them closely. I wouldn’t oppose her moving into the primary role and putting someone else in as the associate and seeing how it goes.

        I’d actually also love it if they followed UK Labour’s example and had an overall Health spokesperson, an associate dealing with physical health and well being, and a co-equal spokesperson with the Health Minister/Shadow Minister focusing on Mental Health. It is under-resourced and not taken seriously enough in New Zealand, and making it clear that Labour thinks mental health deserves its own minister would be really good, and I think if you can have two ministers for the economy, it’s absolutely appropriate to have two for health. There are a number of people who’d be well-equipped for that portfolio: it would dovetail well with Poto Williams’ other responsibilities, or you could put Carmel Sepuloni into it if she can spare the workload, or Ruth Dyson has compatible portfolios that would give her some insight, or even Nanaia Mahuta, given that there’s a lot of overlap between the Whanau Ora approach that she’s responsible for and mental health.

        As an aside, I’m not just suggesting women because health is an area increasingly dominated by women, but I’m just looking at who’s actually had related portfolios or spoken well on health issues, and the men mostly seem to be interested in different areas at the moment. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or bad thing just yet, (the men should at least be INTERESTED in health too, even if they’re not getting related portfolios) but it’s also nice in a way to look at a senior portfolio like health and say: well, almost all the qualified candidates are women. XD

        I hope whoever they pick is a strong advocate for women, Māori and trans people, as it’s becoming increasingly obvious that the health system has needed to be better for people who aren’t white cis men, and Annette was a pretty good advocate for better accessibility to all sorts of services, and whoever follows her needs to be just as aggressive on that issue.
23. Sanctuary 23

    1 March 2017 at 1:14 pm

    Annette’s loyalty is the deep sort that is always rewarded once her party returns to the treasury benches. A stint as Governor-General, perhaps?

    Just a thought.
    • Anne 23.1

      1 March 2017 at 1:29 pm

      A stint as Governor-General, perhaps?

      Excellent idea. She would bring a new dynamic to the role.
      • Cynical jester 23.1.1

        1 March 2017 at 1:35 pm

        Na they’ll give it to aunty Helen.
        • Matthew Whitehead 23.1.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 1:51 pm

          Don’t know if Helen Clark would want it to be honest. 🙂

          While I think either her or Annette would be suited for the role if they did want it, I would worry that it would set a precedent that retired MPs can be parachuted into the GG role as a “reward” in a jobs-for-the-boys (or girls in this case) type scenario, because you can bet if Labour started doing that, National would follow suite. I actually like that we’ve largely been looking at public figures who aren’t hugely political for GG, it brings a sense of national unity to their role, and I hope that continues.
          • Anne 23.1.1.1.1

            1 March 2017 at 2:16 pm

            Don’t know if Helen Clark would want it to be honest. 🙂

            Pretty sure she would say “thank-you but no”. It’s largely a ceremonial role and that wouldn’t suit Helen at all.
            • Red 23.1.1.1.1.1

              1 March 2017 at 4:24 pm

              ALso pays crap and perks well behind cushy UN number or Swiss based private charity fund
        • Sanctuary 23.1.1.2

          1 March 2017 at 2:27 pm

          No, Helen is pencilled in as the first President of the Republic of New Zealand.
    • Cinny 23.2

      1 March 2017 at 1:39 pm

      Sanc, I like that thought very much. Am liking your thought too Cynical Jester
24. RRM 24

    1 March 2017 at 2:11 pm

    I don’t think trading in a former cabinet minister with decades of experience, for someone who knows how to fry a scoop of chips, is the kind of rejuvenation Labour needs?

    Key was a game-changer for National when they needed one the most. When they were as down and out as Labour are today. Someone new, hopeful, and not mired by recent failures.

    Labour in 2017 desperately need to find their John Key.

    IMHO Sir Peter Leitch could be a great Labour party leader. I could vote for him.

    I doubt he’d want it though after Carmel Seppsomething’s disgraceful assault on his character. Meanwhile Labour probably wouldn’t want him, and that tells you pretty much everything that’s wrong with Labour in 2017. Doing good for the disadvantaged poor doesn’t matter, party apparatchiks matter.
    • McFlock 24.1

      1 March 2017 at 2:27 pm

      lolz at mad butcher. Nice bait.
    • Psycho Milt 24.2

      1 March 2017 at 4:24 pm

      Key was a game-changer for National when they needed one the most. When they were as down and out as Labour are today.

      Perhaps in some alternative-history novel. In real life he shafted Don Brash, who’d come close to beating Labour in 2005. Also, Labour still isn’t as down and out as National’s been – the Nats’ low point was 22%. Also, if Key represented a much-needed game-changer after the Bill English era, you have to wonder how clever an idea it is to replace Key with Bill English.
      • RRM 24.2.1

        1 March 2017 at 5:31 pm

        Have a wee think about that PM.

        Are your technical and leadership skills the same as they were 15 years ago?

        Could Psycho Milt c.2002 have done the job you’re doing today?

        Or have you learned a bit and grown a bit in that time?

        It’s not a trick question.
        • Psycho Milt 24.2.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 6:49 pm

          Sure, I’m much more capable now than I was 15 years ago. Of course, 15 years ago I wasn’t setting records in poor performance for someone in my position, but yeah, no doubt English has raised his game a little since then. He seems to be a pretty good liar now, for instance (learnt from a “game-changing” master, so I guess he should be).
      • RRM 24.2.2

        1 March 2017 at 5:39 pm

        PS and in the alternative history novel I read, Don Brash gave an inflammatory and polarizing speech at the orewa rotary club, got mud thrown at him, got endlessly bogged down explaining minutiae of his principled thinking to people who just wanted to know if he was for or against X.

        So clearly wasn’t going to threaten the clark govt.
        • NewsFlash 24.2.2.1

          1 March 2017 at 6:29 pm

          RRM

          “gave an inflammatory and polarizing speech every time he opened his mouth”

          I thought you talking about Key
        • Psycho Milt 24.2.2.2

          1 March 2017 at 6:46 pm

          A quick squizz at Wikipedia tells me that National under Brash made a huge increase in vote share, and under Key it made a modest increase. So who’s the game-changer again?
          • Pete George 24.2.2.2.1

            1 March 2017 at 7:20 pm

            The ones that win.

            Labour and supporters and Greens have talked about a few game changers, but changing from union to league and remaining inside the 22 is not a great change.

            Joining the celebrity politics bus may make the difference though.
            • North 24.2.2.2.1.1

              1 March 2017 at 7:49 pm

              You sound a little bit miffed Pete. What’s that all about ?
              • One Anonymous Bloke …

                1 March 2017 at 7:51 pm

                😆
              • marty mars …

                1 March 2017 at 9:45 pm

                traffic down I’d say – and it is election year too
    • Doogs 24.3

      2 March 2017 at 8:28 am

      This is not your humble opinion RRM, as you so incorrectly and ingratiatingly state.

      Key was wonderful for National as the ultimate hollow man. You could tell that he was because every time you pricked him he emitted puffs of platitudinous crap. Around him buzzed a tuberous bumble bee who could sting five times before people realised that she was really quite harmless – all buzz and no pop, a vicious wasp who was able to sting numerous times with impunity, assorted boring suits who jackassed at his pointless little jibes in the house and some mostly young serial mispronouncers who were largely filled with there own importance (or impotence if you like).

      And you Mr/Ms RRM have the temerity to call Arden a chip cooker. This is a person with a BA in communications and a wealth of experience in party work and research.

      Then you suggest Leitch for Labour! That hard-nosed old mysoginist isn’t anywhere near the Labour Party in his thinking. He does good works because he’s a rich old fucker with money to spare and an ego that needs stroking.

      You even manage to use ‘apparatchiks’ wrongly in an attempt to sound intellectual.

      Waste of space. Move on.
25. Ann Elborn 25

    1 March 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Annette was extremely helpful to one of her constituents who was a refugee and lived in diabolical accommodation. Got on to it really quickly. Problem solved. So effective and capable.

    I have talked to her about mental health issues and policy and she is knowledgeable and genuinely interested. Very capable woman.

    Thank you Annette for your years of service. Wishing you a happy retirement and pleased to hear you will be working to get Labour elected.
26. Red 26

    1 March 2017 at 6:38 pm

    What happens when Jacinda starts polling higher than angry Andy as preferred pm I like Jacinda I think she is a decent sort but She is clearly not PM material, lacks credibility and substances that increase exposure will highlight The press and national will have a field day with this In Election year
    • Muttonbird 26.1

      1 March 2017 at 6:45 pm

      What are they going to do, attack Jacinda? They’d have to be pretty brave to do that given how popular she is with women and wider New Zealand. Even you can’t bring yourself to do it.

      But English is a very clumsy operator, so it could backfire badly for National.
      • Red 26.1.1

        1 March 2017 at 9:40 pm

        No they will attack little and labour and pontificate leadership challenges and discontent if his polling does not pick up

        Re Jacinta you overplay her popularity, yes she is nice to have around, gay pride festival, opening youth events but so close to lever of power re next in line as potential labour Pm, here credibility and substance will mean a lot more re supporting her and labour at this level. Jk strength was he had both charisma and was a people person but also had credibility and substance , plus a back story ( yes I know not according to far left and kDSs but to the general voter) , I am not sure fish n chip shop to parliaments cuts it
        • Muttonbird 26.1.1.1

          1 March 2017 at 10:46 pm

          Well, if you are right about Jacinda not being popular and having no credibility or substance then there won’t be any issue with her mounting a leadership challenge, will there?

          The National knocking machine won’t have any ammo then.

          The government will be spooked by this, no doubt about it and it will be interesting to see how they try to take her down. As I said before they’ll have to tread very carefully so not to put off the so called swing voters and women who will be quite happy with Jacinda in the leadership group of the next government regardless of her relatively young age.

          I wonder how Canadian RWNJs tried to attack Trudeau? Didn’t work, anyway.
        • Gavin 26.1.1.2

          1 March 2017 at 11:19 pm

          It’s worked so far for Paula Bennett, a modest back-story and even more modest brainpower to go with it.
27. Ad 27

    1 March 2017 at 7:25 pm

    Jacinda is just what New Zealand wants.
    Personally not my cup of tea, but then I like my politicians for their political effectiveness.

    Jacinda is appealing in all sorts of ways other than parliamentary effectiveness. Big particularly with young people and media. Affable, smiling, not belligerent or angry, always looks happy. Great with central Auckland.

    Just what Labour needs.
    • One Anonymous Bloke 27.1

      1 March 2017 at 7:36 pm

      Your politically effective cup of tea isn’t your cup of tea? Are you struggling for relevance or a better metaphor? That’s a rhetorical question.
      • Ad 27.1.1

        1 March 2017 at 8:24 pm

        I don’t need my politicians to smile, be affable, or look happy.

        I expect them to change the country for the better.
        Failing that, oppose and bring down the National government.

        That’s my measure.
28. Tanz 28

    1 March 2017 at 8:21 pm

    She won a very winnable seat, after never winning the old Labour safe seat,Auckland Central. Don’t get what all the fuss is about, or what her celebrity status achievements really are. Looks yes, but not a lot of depth or substance so far. Is this really the best Labour have?
    she will overshadow Andy.
    • Ad 28.1

      1 March 2017 at 8:26 pm

      It really is.
      And she’s really good at it.
29. nzsage 29

    1 March 2017 at 10:00 pm

    Encouraging to see so many right wing trolls on here today…Jacinda’s capability, charisma and broad appeal clearly has them rattled and worried.

    Thank you Annette, you have been a Labour stalwart and I hope you continue to support Jacinda in the future. I’m sure she will thrive with you as her mentor.
30. Michael 30

    2 March 2017 at 1:46 am

    It looks to me like King went after Little had a word to her that he wanted Ardern as his deputy. That explains the complete change in King’s public statements in little more than 24 hours, from “I’m staying on and anyone who questions that is ageist” to “I’m out totally”. I think King switched her position because she knew that a fight, if she decided to stay on, would damage her Party even more than it is. King will be hard to replace, as she’s such a capable performer in the House (not just at Question Time). The question now is whether Ardern is up to the job of replacing King. I don’t think she is: winning the by-election without a serious opponent and without increasing the turnout substantially is not a solid basis for nation-wide political appeal. OTOH, making Ardern his deputy shores up Little’s position in the short term: it will be harder for Robertson to roll him, when all he can offer Ardern is the deputy’s job, which she already has. After the election, Little will be replaced quickly but I don’t know whether Ardern will want to work under Robertson. He may well be looking for someone else to play the deputy role under him when he moves against Little.
    • Muttonbird 30.1

      2 March 2017 at 2:48 am

      Utter nonsense. You seem to be trying to invent discord where there is only unity.
      • nzsage 30.1.1

        2 March 2017 at 7:18 am

        +1
31. tsmithfield 31

    2 March 2017 at 7:00 am

    I think this was a necessary move. The status quo obviously wasn’t working, so changing something was the only option. However, I doubt it will achieve much for the following reasons:

    1. Jacinda is already a well known and well liked figure in Labour. Therefore, her popularity is already factored into Labour’s overall rating to a large degree. So, changing her position in the party might not add much more in value.

    2. The deputy leader doesn’t get anywhere near as much media attention as the leader. Compare how much media attention Paula Bennett gets compared to Bill English for instance.

    3. What happens if Jacinda starts polling more favourably as leader than Little? Then there will likely be talk in the media about likely leadership challenges etc which won’t be a good look.

    In my opinion, Labour would have been better to make her leader outright if they wanted to get the best effect from this move. As it stands I don’t think it will achieve much for the reasons outlined above.
32. HDCAFriendlyTroll 32

    2 March 2017 at 8:48 am

    Out of the 18 deputy pms from 1957 to present only around four have gone on to be pm – most notably Helen Clark and Robert Muldoon. Winston was deputy pm and never got to be pm, same with Anderson and Cullen.

    Just saying.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deputy_Prime_Minister_of_New_Zealand
33. Robert Guyton 33

    2 March 2017 at 9:09 am

    Enjoying these “well-meaning” speculations 🙂
    • Carolyn_nth 33.1

      2 March 2017 at 9:12 am

      Can smell the fear in the morning.
    • Michael 33.2

      2 March 2017 at 7:27 pm

      Implying that you have the monopoly on political wisdom? Were you consulted before Little replaced King with Ardern; if so, why did you give the change your imprimatur?
34. Tanz 34

    2 March 2017 at 7:58 pm

    Why don’t you just build a shrine. It’s hero worship on a grand scale. I don’t get what the fuss is about, just another progressive commie, gifted a very safe seat.
    • Anne 34.1

      2 March 2017 at 8:30 pm

      You’re such an idiot, its a wonder your god doesn’t smote you down with a sword of fire and brimstone. 😡
35. Tanz 35

    2 March 2017 at 8:42 pm

    well, since you believe in nothing…

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