Clark shortlisted for UNDP job
February 24th, 2009 at 11:37 am by David FarrarAs expected, Helen Clark has made the shortlist for the UNDP Adminstrator job. NZPA reports she is now in New York for an interview with the UN Secretary-General.
Hard to know her chances, as it depends of course on who ther other candidates are. Also whom influential countries like the US support.
Related posts:
- Clark gets UNDP Administrator job
- UNDP Watch
- Moore backs Clark for UN post
- UNDP slated by its own board
February 24th, 2009 at 11:47 am
A lot of people say that the UN is a pointless organisation and that it needs to be scrapped in favour of anything else. But what I think they are missing is that at some stage in the future (according to a mass of literature) the world will be dominated by an oppressive mega-government.
By strengthening the UN today we will make this inevitable transformation much more smoothly and with less blood shed. Surely that is something we all want and should be willing to work towards.
In this light, the appointment of someone who has shown a contempt for people’s participation in the democratic process is a bold step forward.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I hope she ends up flipping burgers myself. That is the place she will do least damage.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
according to a mass of literature
Can you list any of these? Other than the Book of Revelation, of course — I’m interested in reputable non-fiction titles.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
wreck
Would you let her flip your burger?….she can rot on the back benches as far as I am concerned.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Kimble – and I for one welcome our new ant overlords.
Nicely said though!
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I’ve been enjoying how quickly she has slipped into obscurity – I do hope she stays there. It may be good for NZ to have a former head of state in a senior position at the UN, but I can’t see what good there is for the UN in having her.
Vote:Hopefully she does as well in her interview as she did in the campaign debates last year!
February 24th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I too find it hard to have charitable thoughts towards HC and any future endeavours she may entertain. The UN is mostly a monumental waste of time and HC offers no solutions or remedies to that assessment. Managing an obscure, privately funded, Scandinavian charity devoted to world peace and harmony would be a better fit for her. It would put her on the other side of the world in a relatively harmless capacity.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
iPredict is running a contract on whether she’ll get it here.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Boo! Hiss.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Other candidates for the position include Robert Mugabe, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, ex Labour MP George Galloway (accused of taking bribe money from Saddam) and various other left wing scammers and losers. George W Bush was thinking of applying but was informed with his record, he didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell.
(for the humour challenged, I made it up)
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
big bruv says at 12:01 pm:
Sounds good to me.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
If she wants the role then I want her to miss out. I cannot think of any other person I’ve met who qualifies for the same vindictive treatment. But then again, I’ve never met anyone else who has held the NZ public in such contempt.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Ever wondered how the LITERALLY non-existent King Arthur ever became one of the most widely-known of English historical figures? Look no further.
Another hundred years of this and HC will be a fearsome flesh-eating winged creature with dominion over a whole legion of bloodthirsty, parasitic creatures, and you’d need Peter Jackson if you wanted to make a movie about it.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
If they hire her it doesn’t say much for their process. Staff in her dept. will increase exponentially and costs will keep rising with no improvent in any way whatsoever in whatever she manages. But hey, if they just want her smiling face around, best of luck to them.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Whats Jenny Shipley doing these days.
Last I heard she was working for the Chinese , while her successor Bill English is having to find out if there is any money for his boss to play at lemon socialism
[DPF: Jenny last time I checked, is as busy as ever - I think she is on the Board of half a dozen companies, and chairs a couple of them also. And Bill would I think be quite happy being Minister of Finance rather than looking for a job]
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
JVH
Vote:At least Jenny is earning money and paying tax in NZ and employing new zealanders, Clark is looking to suck at another taxpayer funded tit and offshore too boot. I have no problem with Clark being offshore and if she did something useful like mine clearing in uncharted minefields I would chip in to fund her short term employment in that job!!
February 24th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I support Helen Clark for the job. Her attention to detail and her penchant to micro-manage everything and anything means that the UN can probably afford to fire at least 90% of the drone bueaucrats under her.
And standby for windfall development funding to all one legged, rainbow, feminazi, anti-christain groups throughout the world in need of someone elses money …. afterall, it DOES grow on trees.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Not to me.
That would mean NZ taxpayers were still paying for it.
Let it rot somewhere at it’s own expense.
This story, of course, just reinforces the fact that the UN is the organisation that proves there is such a thing as a free lunch.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Please god shes there on a one way ticket.
jacob, don’t you worry about what the former first woman PM of New Zealand is doing. Jenny works for a living.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Ratbiter @12:38pm:
Vote:“Another hundred years of this and HC will be a fearsome flesh-eating winged creature with dominion over a whole legion of bloodthirsty, parasitic creatures…”
No need to wait a hundred years or wait for Peter Jackson to film it, Rat. What you just described sounds very much like some days in Wellington over the last 9 years! At least the bloodthirsty parasitic creatures who worked in her legions are mostly out of a job. I guess the UN can have the fearsome flesh-eating (left-)winged creature if they want her
February 24th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
i hope she gets it too…and then gets the phone call saying “ah, hulun, it appears we made a wee mistake. sorry.”
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I guess it come down to the selection committee and their respective agendas. Her odds will raise and fall depending upon whether they are black/white, male/female, gay or straight… her competence or otherwise will have little bearing.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I believe you have identified the essence of the UN Pita.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
If John Key can back her nomination after the all the bile and hate she spewed is his direction last year, so can I. It’s time to let go of all that anger, we won, they lost, lets get on with running the country.
[DPF: Well said]
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
He wants her gone more than anyone Lawerence. Hell more people think shes still leading labour than can pick Phil In out of a line up.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Well said Lawrence. Key has shown a high level of grace towards Clark, and after nine years of recriminations, inquistions and finger-pointing, it’s somewhat refreshing.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I don’t see why the US would support a candidate who is prepared to damage diplomatic relations for short-term political gain.
Click hereto see Labour’s 2005 attack billboard comparing Dr Brash to G W Bush.
Not only was the comparison ludicrous, but also a lie because NZ was active in Iraq. But for a Labour sanctioned add to use a US president in a negative campaign – that’s got to be the ultimate insult (whether you like Bush or not).
Helen Clark’s much vaunted skills in international relations is a myth.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
I don’t see why the US would support a candidate who is prepared to damage diplomatic relations for short-term political gain.
Click hereto see Labour’s 2005 attach billboard comparing Dr Brash to G W Bush.
Not only was the comparison ludicrous, but also a lie because NZ was active in Iraq. But for a Labour sanctioned add to use a US president in a negative campaign – that’s got to be the ultimate insult (whether you like Bush or not).
Helen Clark’s much vaunted skills in international relations is a myth.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I don’t see why the US would support a candidate who is prepared to damage diplomatic relations for short-term political gain.
Click here to see Labour’s 2005 attach billboard comparing Dr Brash to G W Bush.
Not only was the comparison ludicrous, but also a lie because NZ was active in Iraq. But for a Labour sanctioned add to use a US president in a negative campaign – that’s got to be the ultimate insult (whether you like Bush or not).
Helen Clark’s much vaunted skills in international relations is a myth.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Development? What the hell does Clark know about development?
Vote:She took a developed country with one of strongest growth records in the mid to late 90s and thanks to her government left a country that will suffer one of the longest and deepest recessions of comparable countries.
February 24th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Interview tips for Helen:
1. Dress decently. Please nothing low cut. If you were younger sure, but your not now…
2. Avoid too much make up. It never looks good on you. Remember that dreadful Women’s Day cover?
3. Smile. Please just smile a bit. You’d be amazed how much people respond to that. Ask JK for some advice about this.
4. Please don’t start crying during the interview. This isn’t Waitangi.
5. Sarcasm, sneering and suggesting there is a conspiracy of accountants and businessmen and /or a conspiracy of media and cartoonists against you will certainly not help during the interview. Please keep these kind of thoughts to yourself. Didn’t work in the election and it won’t help in the interview.
6. Don’t hunch your shoulders while sitting. Shoulders back, head up, face forward, eyes steady. (well as steady as you can make them anyway..)
7. Keep all your responses to questions positive because lets face it: being negative sure as hell didn’t help you in the election did it?
8. Lastly, just remember if the worst happens and you don’t get it you can always return and plot to overthrow Phil Gap and take back the Labour party again. Poor old Phil won’t last.
Good luck Helen. (you’ll need it).
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Why does NZ still perpetuate this culture of rewarding negative and destructive behavior?
Helen Clark was without a doubt one of the strongest leaders NZ has ever seen. She was like Muldoon (but more so) totally and completely in charge. What she said went and her wishes were the bible from which the party preached. She was also the single most ill equipped person to be in such a situation. Her total lack of understanding of the real world and how the NZ public worked, lived and survived is evident in where NZ has ended up politically. The number of unethical things , paintings, speeding cars, lying about Doone and also being the person who leaked the information. The total lack of regards for the culture of NZ and the shunning of it’s indigenous people when it suited her (Hikoi and Waitangi) all dragged a system that had a high level of integrity and an inherent need for “doing the right thing”, to a place where there was not even an attempt to cover up or hide the new lower standards.
People (and I am one of them) despair at Key’s somewhat too centrist approach sometimes, however he has no choice. The values and perceived standards are now such that all that ground has to be clawed back slowly. Rewarding a person who, it could be said singlehandedly , did so much damage, is simply giving any ground back that has been gained in the fight for a non corrupt society.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Hellen will be praying that the distance to the UN will sever the grip that Winston had (during the 2008 election campaign) on her short and curlies…
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Well said Lawrence at 2.53 pm
Richard Hurst – that is one of the most disgustingly misogynist posts I have read in a long time.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Lawrence
“If John Key can back her nomination after the all the bile and hate she spewed is his direction last year, so can I. It’s time to let go of all that anger, we won, they lost, lets get on with running the country.”
I applaud your stance, you’re a bigger man than me.
I wish I could join you but as yet I am not ready to forgive or forget the way she, bulldozed over our rights, stole from us, constantly lied to us, persecuted those who dared speak our against her and her corrupt party and most importantly the way she took far more than she needed from me every week and gave it to people who wasted it, I also cannot forgive the way she and Kullen squandered the best economic conditions in living memory.
So while I admire your ability to forgive and forget I cannot join you, I wish Klark nothing but the very worst.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
It’s taken me a while to let go and I really only got there this morning driving to work and hearing the story on the radio. I asked myself why I still wished Helen ill and couldn’t really think of a good answer.
Take comfort from the fact Labour is gone, the Greens are back to being a sideshow and best of all – NZ First is history.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Atheist1 (54) Vote: 0 5 Says:
“Richard Hurst – that is one of the most disgustingly misogynist posts I have read in a long time.”
Is it? Hell, you need to read more posts then! Or better yet get out and about a bit more. I wouldn’t worry too much about my silly posts if I were you.
P.S Relax.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
If Helen gets the job, will her ‘bitch’ (H2), also be going?? BTW, whatever happened to her anyway?? Is still sucking on the public tit? Like Helen, she has a lot to answer for, for screwing this country.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Paul, Dracula always takes Renfield when traveling abroad. Coffin guardian, factotum that sort of thing.
Vote:I think it is great some of you have been able to “let go”.
I never will, you see my anger is personal. That creature made changes to birthing in this country effectively excluding GP’s from birthcare. She did that back when she was health minister under Lange/Palmer/ Moore. She was influenced by the college of midwives.
These changes have had a devastating effect on the quality of care for mums and babies during the birthing process and has directly caused the death of babies. The money is given to the “lead maternity carer”, usually a midwife. if the midwife calls in a specialist they get less money. three seperate reports into birthcare and infant mortality during birth have been squashed in the last ten years
So while some of you can forgive the damage that this person has wrought on our country I can’t.
She will always be that baby killer who used to be the PM to me.
February 24th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Misogynist: One who hates women.
I’m not sure you can conclude that Richard Hurst hates women because he dislikes Helen Clark. Only the first two of his 8 points even were gender specific, and those two points could be rewritten to apply to men (e.g. make sure your shirt isn’t too tight around the middle, you’re not the man you once were – I’ve heard plenty from both left and right making comments about that relating to Gerry Brownlee).
In short, if that is the most misogynist thing you’ve ever seen, then you really need to get out more.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I wish her all the best at the United Nations, PROVIDED THAT it creates a bye election in Mount Albert.
Vote:Now, that would be fascinating.
February 24th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Barnsley Bill says at 8:53 pm
Let us not forget those unanswered questions regarding blood screening that Helen Clark refuses to answer. A lot of people got sick because blood wasn’t properly screened in New Zealand under her watch. She has deliberately sealed her notes relating to this issue at the New Zealand Archive to hide this information.
Open and honest Helen Clark is not.
Vote:February 24th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Lawrence Hakiwai and DPF:
I like your sentiment but what about principle?
For Helen to get a top UN post after she’s waged multiple negative smear campaigns against Don Brash and John Key. Where she’s used the image of the US president in her negative campaigns. She insults the US with her ‘if Al Gore were President’ comment. She went against MFAT’s advice in her attempt to publicly scorn Israel.
So for Helen to get that top job signals to me that you can pretty much get away with anything. So why bother even trying to do the right thing…..?
Vote:February 25th, 2009 at 12:05 am
NX: People sometimes say unkind things trying to win election campaigns. Shock! Horror!
It’s a dog-eat-dog world. By the standards you are proposing, few world political leaders and even fewer Kiwiblog commentators would ever be allowed to get to the top of anything, because years ago they said something mean about someone…
Vote:February 25th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Yeah I know all’s fair in love and war, and I don’t expect Key to give Goff an easy ride.
But the way Helen handled the stolen emails saga, the outing of Brash’s affair, villainising the Exclusive Brethren….. she crossed the line. There must be some penalty for being such a bitch i.e. no top job.
I don’t recall Shipley or Bolger being so vile. In fact I think you’d have to go as far back as Robert Muldoon to find someone in the same vein as Helen.
In fact I summit that Jenny Shipley would be a better choice for the UN job.
Vote:February 25th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Helen Clark is a bad man.
Not for Helen Clark the glittering prizes of international respectability.
Vote:February 25th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Maybe Mt Albert will get an MP who gives a toss about their local electorate. HC will end up in the UN living off other peoples money, natural progression for someone who has spent a lifetime in academia and politics & never had a real job in the real world.
Vote:February 25th, 2009 at 8:24 am
What do you mean GGH? Helen has been an active player in Mt Albert affairs for the past decade. Intervening in local issues every election year and doing f-all in between.
Vote:February 25th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Billy Connelly said he misses the lady OM with the big adams apple.
He thought she was really scary!!
HC won’t get the post. What goes around comes around. She has pissed off the Yanks too many times!!
Vote:February 25th, 2009 at 9:41 am
PM stated we are presently not on the US Christmas list. We are being snubbed for the copyright laws.
So what. We won’t let their nukes in either. Plus they going down the gurgler.
Middle finger stuff.
Vote:February 25th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Clark and Cullen and most of the Labour MP’s in the last government do not deserve anything but a prison cell.
Vote:February 25th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Glutaemus Maximus wrote:
Agreed.
Barrack Obama should be aware- with friends like Helen you don’t need enemies.
Talking about Helen’s awesome diplomacy – her spat with Alexander Downer also comes to mind. The only reason she attacked him as aggressively as she did was because she sensed the Howard govt. was going to lose the ’07 election.
The moral – she’ll turn on you at your lowest point to maximise her political capital.
Vote:February 26th, 2009 at 12:15 am
So when Helen Clark doesn’t get this job can anyone guess what Plan C will be?
Vote:February 26th, 2009 at 11:08 am
… go back to her university job teaching abstract theories. I’m sure Peter will pull a few strings for her at Auckland Uni. Peter’s been looking forward to having someone to hang out with at lunch times.
It’s also ironic that she’ll pretty much be colleagues with Don Brash.
Vote: