Kelvin for DPM

16 comments on “Kelvin for DPM ”

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1. Gabby 1

   25 October 2020 at 9:27 am

   Do you think he could be taught to answer questions intelligently? He's not a lot of use if he can't.
2. ScottGN 2

   25 October 2020 at 9:56 am

   He’s done a great job in Corrections. Reducing the prison muster from the shamefully high levels National had escalated it to. And pivoting the focus away from just punishment back to some sort of rehabilitation. And successfully managing public expectations around that.

   If he wants to be DPM then he should get it.
3. Peter 3

   25 October 2020 at 10:36 am

   Being Deputy Leader of the party obviously is a different role than being Deputy Prime Minister. One is working in the house with the family. The other is being out in the brash world dealing with 1000 times as many agendas and motivations and invite bloodlust to deal to him.

   Kelvin Davis is at the Bill Rowling end of the spectrum as opposed to the Muldoon end when it comes to personality and public perception.

   That doesn't make him suited or unsuited to either position jus situates him in the political game that is not to do with the party but outside it particularly to do with =voters.

   Because he is in the engine room not in the headlines some have him anonymous and 'doing nothing.' Stupid notions but that is how the game is played.

   Remember a very short time back when some people had Kelvin on the skids in Te Tai Tokerau? How did that work out?
4. Patricia Bremner 4

   25 October 2020 at 10:41 am

   Kelvin has learned the archaic processes now. I found it profound that the new Maori MP compared his visit to Parliament as personally a cultural challenge, as he said, many found their first Marae experience.

   Jacinda would find Kelvin loyal and supportive, desirable traits when she has so much to do. He has experienced people like Grant Robertson to assist if required, and will unify the caucus towards meeting the targets set. A good honest man is worth ten who are self promoting.

   So I agree Micky.
5. Anker 5

   25 October 2020 at 11:09 am

   • Kelvin please. And if doesn’t want it, someone from the Maori caucus

   don't know much about Peeni Henare, but bloody stupid of him to post he wanted to be M of H……Last thing we need in health is that sort of behaviour
6. Anne 6

   25 October 2020 at 11:50 am

   I don't know the context of that statement, but the likely-hood is Henare was asked the question and answered… yes, he would like to be M of H.

   Helen Clark was asked a similar question back in the early 1980s when she was still a new MP and gave the same answer… yes, she would like to be M of H. I was present when she said it. No-one saw that as bad behaviour then so why should they now?
   • anker 6.1

     25 October 2020 at 2:41 pm

     Henare's comment about being the Min of Health on his social media post. Taken down now. Don't think he will earn brownee points from that
7. Ed1 7

   25 October 2020 at 1:00 pm

   I think Kelvin has been very good at keeping in touch with the Party and with Maori – both cover broad issues that cross portfolios; it is an important role even though it does not have the public exposure that standing in for the Prime Minister in Parliament and with the press that the Deputy PM role has. Grant Robertson has carried that role a few times when both Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters have been away; as Finance Minister he is closely involved with the financial (and wellbeing) impact of all issues going through Cabinet. There is an opportunity to do things differently, but I suspect that Kelvin can help best by making sure the party is ready, with allies, for the next election, both organisationally, and in delivering on some of the urgent issues for those in need.
8. Byd0nz 8

   25 October 2020 at 1:41 pm

   If he was fit enough to be Deputy leader of the Party, and retain his seat as he did, then yes I hope he gains DPM. He has the ability. It would also be a good move of inclusion, given the respect he has within Maoridom. I have had first-hand experience with Kelvin regarding a personal problem I expressed at an election meeting in 2017. He took me aside and listened intently to my story and offered good advice and a way forward. He is a man of compassion and honour.

   Hope they vote that way.
9. observer 9

   25 October 2020 at 2:45 pm

   Sure, he's a lovely guy and he has talents and achievements in other areas. But this is not a group hug, it's a hard-headed decision.

   Is he good at the job? Is he the best option? No. Nor was Winston, but that was a requirement of the deal. Politics is tough, Parliament is an unforgiving environment, and Kelvin struggles with it.

   The beginning of the end is when a political party looks inward, and rates loyalty over competence. Labour/Ardern should pick the best person for the job.

   The press conferences have been fronted by Robertson, Woods, Hipkins. David Clark was sidelined. It’s not credible to have a job title but not be the public face.
   • Incognito 9.1

     25 October 2020 at 3:12 pm

     Maybe the role of Deputy Leader requires being a role model and authority who displays and instils loyalty to ensure internal stability. Together with trust, respect, honesty, and good internal policy, loyalty is a necessary attribute, IMO, for dealing effectively with internal conflict, which is inevitable. I’d go as far as to posit that there’s not enough loyalty in this hyper-individualised and selfish society; tribalist has become a pejorative label.
     • observer 9.1.1

       25 October 2020 at 3:29 pm

       Those are good and necessary things, but Deputy Leader is not the same as Deputy PM. Nobody cares or remembers who Labour's deputies were from 2008-17 (try without looking them up, I couldn't). They remember Cullen and English.

       I hope Kelvin has an awareness of his own skill set, and makes the right decision himself for the cause – which is so much bigger than any MP.
10. Stuart Munro 10

    25 October 2020 at 3:53 pm

    Under a different leader, Kelvin might be a poor choice, as he is not a stellar communicator. For the moment however, Labour have that base covered. And it seems that he is somewhat good at getting things done, another important talent.

    We want governance, not entertainment.
11. Treetop 11

    25 October 2020 at 3:59 pm

    I think Hipkins will get DPM. I would give Davis education.
12. Mark 12

    25 October 2020 at 4:09 pm

    I think that the best DPM for Maori would be Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.

    after watching the debate with her, Davis and Billy Tekaka, it became clear that Leaders like her are what we need right now.
13. Grafton Gully 13

    25 October 2020 at 8:48 pm

    Your reasons for appointing him could be seen as tokenism. Better a charismatic wild card (like Peters was) to distract from Ardern where events dictate.

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