Trans-Tasman says Clark to head UNDP

55 comments on “Trans-Tasman says Clark to head UNDP ”

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1. r0b 1

   25 March 2009 at 11:10 am

   Well, should this turn out to be correct, then Congratulations to Helen Clark. This is great recognition of her abilities, her drive, and her contribution to our country. New Zealand’s loss will be the world’s gain!
2. JTuckey 2

   25 March 2009 at 11:11 am

   Congratulations to HC – I’m sure she’s more than capable of doing an excellent job.

   Let’s hope she can manage the political morass and sort out an agency, which from the outside looks like it needs a sizeable kick up the backside.
3. roger nome 3

   25 March 2009 at 11:32 am

   This would be a brilliant choice for the UNDP – Clark is a genuine humanitarian, and really knows how to get things done. Let’s hope UNDP goes the same way as NZAID went under Clark – more spending on health and education for the people who need it, less on the sons and daughters of local elites.
   • r0b 3.1

     25 March 2009 at 11:37 am

     NZAID went under Clark

     NZAID was excellent, but it is yet another institution that this new government is putting to its ideologically driven knife:

     http://www.dontcorruptaid.org.nz/
4. mickysavage 4

   25 March 2009 at 11:49 am

   The saddest part of election night (apart from the fact that the country had handed power over to a bunch of lunatics) was Helen’s resignation as leader.

   I have had the benefit of watching closely many of Labour’s leaders. I would rate Helen as the best Labour (and best) PM that we have had, ahead of Norm Kirk and with David Lange a distant third. Savage and Fraser were too far back for a meaningful comparison to be made.

   Rob is right, New Zealand’s loss is the world’s gain.
   • the sprout 4.1

     25 March 2009 at 12:02 pm

     “rate Helen as the best Labour (and best) PM that we have had”

     i second that ms
5. ak 5

   25 March 2009 at 12:02 pm

   Fantastic news. Sincere thanks, National backers and media owners, for freeing-up our Greatest Living New Zealander to continue building our international reputation and allowing her to use her formidable talents in a forum more worthy. The contrast between the world’s leadership and our own continues to widen.
6. BLiP 6

   25 March 2009 at 12:06 pm

   Congratulations to Helen and, yeah, spose, I guess, thanks to those who facilitated the process.
7. Mello C 7

   25 March 2009 at 12:18 pm

   Well, I guess that this means that Helen is now (debatably) more powerful than John Key.
8. Tim Ellis 8

   25 March 2009 at 12:39 pm

   Congratulations to Helen Clark. I think she has an exceptional range of political skills and was the dominant political figure in New Zealand for more than a decade. Her talents will be put to good effect at the UNDP.
9. Monty 9

   25 March 2009 at 1:17 pm

   No one will find any congratulations from me on this one. I celebrate the fact that she will be gone from NZ. After Muldoon she is probably the worst PM NZ has ever had to endure. She will be remembered for the corruption of our democracy with the EFA.

   I also celebrate that once Clark and Cullen have gone, the Labour talant pool will be exposed as puddle deep.

   Saying that I am sure that she will do the best she can for NZ in her new role – but that is as far as I will go.
   • illuminatedtiger 9.1

     25 March 2009 at 1:25 pm

     Sour grapes much?
   • Kevin Welsh 9.2

     25 March 2009 at 1:55 pm

     Let it go Monty. The election was last year, ok?
     • Monty 9.2.1

       25 March 2009 at 2:49 pm

       And we won and the socialists Lost. No sour grapes from me – but the writers on this blog have not yet realised that the election has come and gone. I think this is the first post in a couple of weeeks that does not carry on the John Key Obsession.
       • Felix 9.2.1.1

         25 March 2009 at 3:30 pm

         I think this is the first post in a couple of weeeks that does not carry on the John Key Obsession.

         That you don’t seem to realise that anyone can scroll to the top of the page and view the last 15 posts speaks to a lack of self-awareness I find it difficult to comprehend.
       • lprent 9.2.1.2

         25 March 2009 at 4:25 pm

         I sense that you have a vaguely obsessional quality on this topic. Most of your comments appear to have this somewhere.

         Most posts don’t have Key as a primary focus. However he appears to want to stick his finger everywhere and his ineptness and that of his ministers does mean that a lot of shit sticks even in what would otherwise be unrelated posts. Now if he’d let his ministers run things, then there’d probably be a bigger dungheap – but at least he’d keep his fingers clean.

         However he doesn’t seem to understand the principles of delegation
       • mickysavage 9.2.1.3

         25 March 2009 at 4:57 pm

         Sorry Monty

         The intellect and brilliance of your analysis has persuaded me that you are right and I have been wrong. I have decided that I will no longer be a chardonnay sipping nanny state supporting hand wringing trendy leftie and will forthwith become a wingnut.

         Now all I need is some raw meat and some venom and nastiness so that I can spell Helen’s name in a funny manner and blame her for everything that is not right in my life.
         • logie97 9.2.1.3.1

           25 March 2009 at 7:05 pm

           We can’t expect the likes of Monty to see any contradictions in their position. To heap vitriol on Helen Clark on the one hand and then suggest that without her and Michael Cullen, Labour is nothing, surely suggests that she must have had something after all…
   • Draco T Bastard 9.3

     25 March 2009 at 8:04 pm

     She will be remembered for the corruption of our democracy

     No, the National Party and John Key will fill that spot.

     Capcha: shortland sequence
10. Daveski 10

    25 March 2009 at 1:27 pm

    Regardless of the personality politics, this is undoubtedly good for NZ that a NZ politician is recognised and selected for such a high-ranking position. Those that can’t celebrate that for NZ are simply showing that they put their own political agenda ahead of NZ’s gain.

    Interestingly, there is a political angle because of Clark leaving as a sitting MP. If I was a Labour supporter, I would have hoped for new blood although I understand this may not be the case. In a similar vein, IMO the sooner Labour gets Andrew Little into parliament, the better for its long term chances … or so I would think.
    • Tim Ellis 10.1

      25 March 2009 at 1:32 pm

      Very good point Daveski. This probably isn’t the thread to discuss the implications of a by-election and who Labour candidates might be, but no doubt there will be a lot of opportunities to discuss that here in a different thread in the near future.

      I find it difficult to fathom people who don’t have the graciousness to stay silent if they can’t congratulate somebody for such an important acheivement. As Paul Williams said over at the other blog, this isn’t the occasion to fight past battles.
      • the sprout 10.1.1

        25 March 2009 at 1:38 pm

        well said TE
      • Daveski 10.1.2

        25 March 2009 at 1:58 pm

        Agreed TE
      • lprent 10.1.3

        25 March 2009 at 4:36 pm

        Assuming the rumor is true, there are a few problems with speculating on possible Labour candidates on this site. Not the least is that I’m going to be one of the people who helps to select the candidate – it is my electorate and I’m on the LEC. I have no intention of having this site being accused of trying to have undue influence.

        Some of the other posters may post on it, but in case you hadn’t noticed, we’re more focused on the deficiencies of the right. So probably ill-informed speculation will be left to the sewer while I get on to the selection and campaign. After all the election isn’t really a public event. It is internal to the party.

        However I have no such restrictions commenting on the quality of the National and Act candidates. For instance is the good Reverent going to be the candidate. After all he has stood for two elections in the seat, which is a record for National party candidates (from memory), and has been getting reasonable results.
        • Daveski 10.1.3.1

          25 March 2009 at 4:46 pm

          LP – it’s good to know that and refreshing to see some disclosure too. Much appreciated. It will be an interesting challenge for the Labour Party.

          My broader comment about Andrew Little may be easier to answer. I suspect that many on the right will be keen for him NOT to be in parliament.
          • lprent 10.1.3.1.1

            25 March 2009 at 4:53 pm

            I thought everyone knew I was

            a) a member of the Labour party
            b) grew up in Mt Albert
            c) get heavily involved in campaigns there (and in other campaigns)

            In fact the only thing that is different is that I got elected as a LEC delegate for the first time in a decade. Usually I’m like a bad penny – I just turn up all over the place.
11. The Voice of Reason 11

    25 March 2009 at 1:37 pm

    Jeez, Monty, give it a rest. The worst after Muldoon? Have you forgotten Bolger and Shipley?

    Helen Clark will go down in history as one of best PM’s for many reasons, not the least of which was her ability to form and manage MMP governments. She remains incredibly popular amongst Kiwis for good reason. Honest, efficient, hard working and nobody’s puppet.

    As for her helping NZ in her new role, I hope she never has to help us at all. The job is about economic and social development in 3rd world countries. Unless, of course, you’re hinting that you think the NActM governent are going to get us relegated from the economic premier league?
    • Monty 11.1

      25 March 2009 at 1:54 pm

      I had to tolerate her for nine long years. I truely believe that she will be seen as one of our worst Prime Ministers – I never never had any problem with Shipley – but that is just me. Those on the right are against everything she ever stood for – but to me she qualifies mainly because of the Electoral Finance Act.

      I don’t know or even care about the job she is going to I’m just pleased she is going. But given your last comment – I certainly do not want her anywhere near any economic or social development in NZ – National / Act are going to have a hard enough cleaning up after her nine years in government – on reflection I don’t want her assistance at all if that is the case.
      • Chris G 11.1.1

        25 March 2009 at 4:22 pm

        Is that a case of tall poppy syndrome, Monty? I thought only ‘socialist ivory tower types’ were the ones who bashed success – well… So I’m told.
12. Santi 12

    25 March 2009 at 2:02 pm

    ” After Muldoon she is probably the worst PM NZ has ever had to endure. She will be remembered for the corruption of our democracy with the EFA.”

    100% correct.

    Her departure is not a loss to NZ but a huge gain, a cause for celebration.
13. Chess Player 13

    25 March 2009 at 2:14 pm

    Congratulations to her for getting the job, if in fact she has….

    It would be fair to say that she will be departing NZ as a polarising figure on the political landscape – people seem to either love her or loathe her, but not many people seem to have no opinion when it comes to Helen Clark.

    Time will tell whether she has the ability to operate effectively on the global stage, given that H2 won’t be at her side….
14. TightyRighty 14

    25 March 2009 at 2:25 pm

    This article is a bit short. are you waiting for I/S at NRT to post something meaningful and intelligent before you repeat it verbatim?
    • lprent 14.1

      25 March 2009 at 4:47 pm

      It was posted when the rumor broke. We usually wait for confirmation before speculating. For that perhaps you should find a sewer more appropriate to your needs?
15. the pinkpostman 15

    25 March 2009 at 2:45 pm

    If its true hen congratulations to Helen Clark . In my estimation the best leader
    NZ ever had. Better even than Peter Fraser . The United Nations gain is our loss.
    The way the present NZ. Right-Wing government is acting we could still do with Helen to keep the country on track.
    The good people of NZ will not realise just how good she was until this present lot
    really get going.Well done Helen ,
    The Pinkpostman.
16. the bean 16

    25 March 2009 at 2:48 pm

    very proud of Helen, very proud of Labour, very proud for NZ. I just wish the nasties would give it a rest for a while…
    • ak 16.1

      25 March 2009 at 8:01 pm

      As you say bean, they’re nasties: like the limbless knight in the Monty Python sketch, they’ll cling to their irrational hatreds and bigotry even when the entire world disagrees and turns away in disgust. One or two (like wee Johnny – and Timmy) will be dying inside but have the nous to hide it for the sake of their party, but morons like Monty et al can be relied on to reveal the true, ugly colours of the tory base till their last pitiful breaths.
      Read it and weep, cretinous knights of misogyny: our greatest living kiwi has achieved higher than any other (and please don’t mention that traitorous flake Moore: yet another failed, rancorous pimple on the backside of history).
      • Pascal's bookie 16.1.1

        25 March 2009 at 8:30 pm

        The kiwiblog thread is hilarious if you like to laugh at that sort of thing. Which I do. You’ve got all the usual suspects saying exactly what you’d expect, the most ugly things rated the highest on the karma, ( sidetrack: I like karma; if I understand it correctly it means that whatever I do or say about a Tory it’s only because s/he deserves it. I may have this wrong. If so, shut up).

        There’s a couple of lefties stirring up the muck, cue righteous claims that ‘I was going to congratulate Clark, but because you said that thing you said I am forced to instead screech about how lesbian comintern jibba jabba korruption wibble’.

        Gold I tells ya.

        More leftie stirring about what JK might do post PMship, and DPF reckons he’ll probably be top knob at the IMF or World Bank. pfft. The fuck he will.

        When I looked (about 2pm) it was at about 60 something comments, 50+ of which would be about how much they hate Clark, but also hates them some UN, so are torn between ‘deserves each other’ ‘glad to see her go’ and ‘hates Clark I hates it’ venting.

        They reckon we haven’t gotten over the election result. I can’t see that myself, but at least if we haven’t we have the excuse that we lost.
        • ak 16.1.1.1

          25 March 2009 at 8:46 pm

          (thanks Pascal – always reassuring to know the sewer’s still gurgling along with monotonous predictability. Gold’s right – equal-opportunity haters torn between the UN and a woman! Wouldn’t go there myself, but I guess we have to have somewhere to put this stuff….)
      • Tim Ellis 16.1.2

        25 March 2009 at 9:23 pm

        Thanks for interpreting my true feelings on my behalf, ak. You couldn’t be more wrong in my case, however, This afternoon I drafted a letter of congratulations to Helen Clark, which I will send as soon as it’s publicly confirmed.

        I further don’t think that your view really represents the Left Wing. It’s all very well for you to refer to people like me as a “cretinous knight of mysogyny”. It’s very brave of you to do it behind that courageous veil of anonymity. For all Helen Clark’s many talents, she would not have achieved this job without the active support of the patron of your so-called cretinous knights namely John Key.

        I realise that some right-wingers find it difficult to put aside old battles and just be gracious about Helen Clark’s achievement, but you’re hardly behaving very tastefully either.
        • ak 16.1.2.1

          25 March 2009 at 9:49 pm

          (terribly sorry old chap – thought I’d made the distinction clear between your more rabid fellow-travellers and your good self – rest assured that few cretins of my acquaintance are capable of the excruciatingly desperate and subtle misrepresentations (see above) and relentless gray dirge of tedious tory apologetics that is your trademark…good knight, Tim)
        • mickysavage 16.1.2.2

          25 March 2009 at 9:50 pm

          Tim

          I thought that AK was referring to Monty and the vast majority of those who have posted 110 comments over at Kiwiblog that do nothing but rave at and criticise Helen. Their comments are appalling and ought to be criticised. Personalised feigned hurt on your part does not do it.

          And Helen should thank John???

          You should work out how the international networks work. They depend on years of relationships and trust and understanding, and JK’s endorsement would have counted for nothing. Helen got the job because the world recognises her ability and commitment.

          Besides Key only did this because he knows that when the kiwi population realise they have elected an emperor with no clothes they will wish that Helen was still around. She will not be. She will be doing for the third world what she has done for New Zealand, by making it a better place.
          • Tim Ellis 16.1.2.2.1

            26 March 2009 at 9:42 am

            Mickey, let’s not descend into an argument about how Helen Clark got the job. She got the job because she was the best candidate. She wouldn’t have been in the running if she didn’t have New Zealand support–international networks or not.

            Her appointment is a real tribute to her, and a real tribute to New Zealand.
17. Paul Robeson 17

    25 March 2009 at 7:44 pm

    Monty bugger off and let us celebrate, you no-life whinger. Haven’t read your comments and I’m not going to. Lightbulbs vs U.N. number 3? who are you going to believe Brownlee or Ban Ki Moon?

    The Herald graciously elevated this story to 5 on its national news behind David Bain, the disbelief of a shop owner, a chase across the harbour, and Air New Zealand worrying that slack employee relations will see a strike disrupt customers travel plans.

    at least it’s second top on Stuff.

    let’s hope she’s able to do a good job, and that Labour can get some momentum out of this.
18. mike 18

    25 March 2009 at 8:02 pm

    So she gets the biggest Robin Hood gig in the world…
    God knows she’s had plenty of practice in the NZ labour party.

    Poor old Phil-in – did he have to be the last to know
    • Snail 18.1

      25 March 2009 at 8:23 pm

      Robin Hood gig</em

      Hey, do you have to be so-oooo informed!
19. justthefacts 19

    25 March 2009 at 8:17 pm

    A marriage made in heaven!

    The most corrupt organisation on the face of the planet hires the most corrupt PM in this nations history.

    Good riddance Ms Clark, you will not be missed.

    BTW, I hope Key shows you the same disrespect (by walking out of the chamber) that you showed to Dr Brash when you make your valedictory speech
    • ak 19.1

      25 March 2009 at 8:35 pm

      Oh yes, justy, because Don “Orewa One” Brash deserves our utmost respect and devotion, doesn’t he? Funny how even wee Johnny treats him like an infected rash now.
      Suck it up, big boy: listen again the international acclaim and Johnny’s gritted-teeth plaudits for Hels, and facethefacts. You and the rest of the bloated viagra-munching hate-mob are shrivelling to irrelevancy – disdained and disowned even by your own frontsmen. World leadership is embracing decency: do us all a favour and just fade away – take your rotting, acrid bile and crawl back into your tight little holes.
      • the sprout 19.1.1

        25 March 2009 at 10:39 pm

        Oh but Don’s gone on to great things too, he’s now a contract lecturer at AUT.
20. Snail 20

    25 March 2009 at 8:26 pm

    If confirmed then I’d like say Go well to Helen Clark.

    Articulation is a rare thing and such talent cannae be wasted in such a UN spot
21. Dan 21

    25 March 2009 at 8:35 pm

    Great news! The lady has class. I am fascinated that the media that was so anti-Clark in the election countdown is suddenly worried about some of the rightist tendencies of the charming Mr Key. In the same way we nostalgically look back and wonder the New Zealand we might have had if Rowling had held out Muldoon and the Think Big and Springbok tour nonsense, in future years we will look back and wonder why Clark was dumped in favour of the self serving rich list.
    Congratulations Helen Clark. I am proud to be a New Zealander when folk of her substance make it to the world stage.
22. Red Horse 22

    25 March 2009 at 10:29 pm

    Clark was easily the best PM we’ve ever had.
23. QoT 23

    25 March 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Godsdammit I demand confirmation so I can celebrate properly!
24. Irascible 24

    26 March 2009 at 7:25 am

    One can only congratulate Helen for her status, when she was our Prime Minister, on the international stage on achieving the status she now has – managing a budget and responsibility that is in keeping with her undoubted ability.
    It is unfortunate that the bloggers of the right are as petty minded as their leadership is demonstrating in all aspects of governance.
    Let’s face it you do need intellect and knowledge to be an effective and recognised politician on the local and international stages. .. these qualities Helen has in spades!!
25. Observer 25

    26 March 2009 at 10:09 am

    I would love to be a fly on the wall the first time she is given a “Yes, Administrator” response from a fellow public servant (yes, that’s what she is to become A Public Servant with the title Madam Administrator) Mandarin who has chewed up and spat out far more experienced “managers” than our Helen.

    NEw Zealand is so full of people who don’t want to upset ANYONE, that our Ministers (including Ministers Prime) have virtually no experience in dealing with true PS Mandarins.
    • Pascal's bookie 25.1

      26 March 2009 at 10:52 am

      Good old colonial cringe. Haven’t seen that for years!

      Thanks.

      I think she’ll do just fine, and certainly achieve more than, for example, any of the previous US administration’s flunkeys.

      Wolfowitz, what a player he turned out to be, and that ambassador that looks like a walrus and has been wrong about everything since at least the 80’s, he certainly shook things up at the UN.

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