The next Governor-General
August 17th, 2010 at 10:00 am by David FarrarThe Herald reports:
Prime Minister John Key is about to consider who the next Governor-General will be. And the word is he may buck the recent trend of appointing a former judge and opt for someone more unorthodox to the role.
Some of the names being tossed around by observers include Sir Don McKinnon, Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast and arts patron Dame Jenny Gibbs.
Philanthropist and recently named Distinguished Citizen of Auckland Rosie Horton said one person stood head and shoulders above others.
“Sir Don McKinnon. He has had an outstanding and highly revered international life and done a stunning job at the Commonwealth Secretariat, and he’s just a very fine New Zealander that we can all be proud of. And he’s come back to New Zealand.
On a personal level, Sir Don would be well suited for the role and would perform it well. However I maintain that former MPs should not be appointed to the job, regardless of how meritorious their post-parliamentary life. The GG should be non-partisan.
“[Philanthropist and arts patron] Dame Jenny Gibbs is also marvellous, very clever and gracious to meet and such a marvellous role model.”
Dame Jenny is an interesting possibility.
Property investor Sir Robert Jones said the Governor-General should be a New Zealander who was not a token appointment.
He said Kerry Prendergast would “be wonderful at the job”.
Heh I presume this means he is not standing a Mayoral candidate against her. While there would be precedent fer Kerry to be given the job, as Cath Tizard was, I still maintain that Kerry’s national party background makes her a sub-optimal appointment. Again, nothing to do with her personal qualities, but that the GG should not be a political figure.
Asked about Maori academic Sir Mason Durie, Sir Robert said he would be “very tokenistic”, and former Labour Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer would be “most unsuitable”.
I can’t see it going to a former Labour PM.
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei would support a female representative of ethnic groups, but insisted she was not throwing her own hat into the ring.
I am surprised Metiria only insisted that the GG be ethnic and female. She forget to include the additional criteria of being left handed and disabled.
She said former Rugby World Cup Ambassador Andy Haden “might not be the best option”.
Can agree on that one.
The appointment is the Prime Minister’s alone. He can consult whom he wants, or no one at all.
Which is why I think the effective head of state should be (at a minimum) appointed by Parliament, not by the PM solely.
If Mr Key decided that another judge should live in Government House, then Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias could be a candidate, though husband Hugh Fletcher might be a more popular choice.
There is no way the Chief Justice will give up that job to become Governor-General.
Sir Kenneth Keith, who is serving on the International Court of Justice, may be less controversial than either of them.
Sir Kenneth would be a fine choice in my opinion.
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- Next Governor-General
- New Governor-General
- Top 10 choices for Governor-General
- Taxing the Governor-General
August 17th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Sir John Mace.
Return the job to the expertise that was intended to hold the office.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:07 am
A Judge would be a very good choice. But I think the conventions surrounding MMP Parliaments, the role of caretaker Governments is now quite well established. So we could look to the wider community. BUT I still favour Judges. The PM does not really want a charismatic Governor General surely??
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:13 am
So Keith Locke or Michael Laws aren’t high on anyone’s list, then?
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:13 am
It’s odd in a supposed democracy to have an elitist appointment to a position that high up the constitutional ladder.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Andy would make a great GG!! Things would really be turned up side down.
Vote:Either him or me.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Hang on, I don’t want to live in Wellington, can I just stay in the nice house in Auckland?
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:17 am
“There is no way the Chief Justice will give up that job to become Governor-General”
Not so sure about that! I think Kenneth Keith would be less likely than Dame Sian to give up the current job.
What about Sir Robert Jones? Purely for the entertainment value.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:25 am
I’d actually be quite happy with Don McKinnon. I don’t regard him as a partisan figure. I can’t see that Jenny Gibbs is remotely qualified for the role.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Sir Bob Jones easy!
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Michaels would rather stay in Auckland? You just proved you are not qualified for the job.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Robin Brooke
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:39 am
I just conducted a straw poll in my office.
Vote:Sir Don came out ahead of Dame Sian and Sir Kenneth for a variety of reasons.
Other candidates were discussed, in cluding Sir Wlson Winneray, but he fell out of the reckoning as he wouldn’t physically be up to the standing around the GG has to do.
August 17th, 2010 at 10:42 am
Winston Peters…its obvious!
;-0
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I agree in principle. Problem is decision makers tend to lean towards their own. Look at Cath Tizard, a partisan Labourite. Labour will do this when it suits, so practice indicates Sir Don will be favourite. In Don’s favour, he has had independent positions outside parliament as well and should be well respects by both sides (and Cath was a judge). The other practical problem is that most people have a political persuasion, so you limit the field of talent by excluding many who are otherwise top candidates. Thirdly, the GG’s role is non-partisan anyway, so as Cath showed, there is no practical reason to impose this restriction.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Yes! Winston Peters! It would keep him out of Parliament and put him somewhere where he can’t do any harm.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Sorry my bad, Tizard wasn’t a judge…
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Owen Glenn perhaps ?
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 11:23 am
Owen Glenn’s executive assistant….remember her?
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 11:32 am
You have all missed the big picture. It has to be Pete Sharples. A masterstroke to turn the MP into a Hone-led rabble and show how meaningless our apartheid political system has become. Next step, can the racial seats and we are on a roll.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 11:41 am
… gasp … Judy Baily … Paul Holmes … gasp … John Hawkesby … Lucy Clueless … gasp gasp … Sue Bradford … Paul Henry … Pippa Whatever … Cameron Bennett … Ricki Herbert … OMG … all pakeha !!! … Roger Bhatnager … Howard Morrison (ah shit, dead) … Titiwhai … Graham Latimer …Phillip Field … Tem Morrison … shit … more asians needed … this is too hard.
Maybe it should be left to Media Tooray, but first we should hear what the pointless flapping seagull thinks. Yes a combination of wide consultation and community involvement is definitely the way to go. Should we have a vote on it?
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 11:42 am
… whoops … its so obvious … Helen Clark … Michael Cullen … Trevor Mallard …
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Come in Fred Dagg.. your time is up.
JC
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
I’ve only seen Kerry Prendergast once. She was on the panel on Q&A when the contenders for Lord Mayor of Auckland were being interviewed. She was clearly the most impressive both of the panelists and of the mayors. She would get my vote.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
So, what is the point of this forthcoming appointment?
To represent NZ ?
To represent the Queen in NZ?
To play footszie with the various upper socio economic strata, the beltway bandits, Judges (aka lawyers, lawyers step 2), orsimilar ?
To fulfill unfulfilled, grandiose political ambitions that have been built at our expense?
To earn a dollar?
To be “salt of the earth” New Zealanders?
Or to fill a figurehead role that does not (with all the “proper” advice made available) require anything other than an ability to be a pleasant and follow suggestions?
So…let us look at those suggested…
Shipley …. NO
Sharples … NO
Prendergast (AKA Nicholls) … you have to be kidding …. NO
Mace … nice fedllow… long gone … NO
Elias (aka Fletcher) …. most cedrtainly NO. Frazgile egos (they are endemic amongvb the judiciary)
Ken Keith, Don McKinnon (If “wussell” Brown says “yes”, sane folk say, “NO”) …nice people…but, NO
Peters/Glenn … No, but did you need to ask?
Whineray ….. never said a word to upset anyone or expressed his own opinion. So, defintely, NO
Lochore …. No, and not worth another word.
Peter Leitch …. maybe, as one of the final three. Health is an issue.
Bob Jones ?
Well he no longer reads comics to Matt Rata (Rest his soul). BUT he is likely to ask the “Excecutive Council” to justify the hundreds of BS regulations they pass through the Council each year (to harass freedom loving NZers) and expect him/her to rubber stamp.
Ergo, Bob is a maybe.
Hang on.
What about a heartland New Zealander?
JK ….. there is no candidate that can match Colin Meads.
So,
There it is, Sir Colin (Pinetree) (and Lady Verna) Meads for GG.
Game, set and match!
DPF – please make sure JK reads and takes note.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Tell me what is all this chat about no former MP’s. Anyone recall a Governor General by the name of Holyoake?
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
flipper.
You took the name outa my mouth.
Arise Sir Colin, you are now the King of NZ.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Thanks Don the Kiwi.
Vote:I’ll share!
HND
August 17th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Robbie Deans maybe in the market for a new career but might need a heads up as his current one is for another 14 months.
Vote:Thats no sillier than Meads, Whineray , or BJ. or many of the others suggested.
When will some politician have the balls to address the tenuous hold we have on constitutional democracy in this bloody little incestuous colony.
August 17th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Correct — http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/4029409/Sir-Bob-turns-back-on-election
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Re Flipper at 12.17:
All the fullstops.
No! You couldn’t be! It couldn’t be!
Are you Philu reincarnated?
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Jack 5 -
Vote:There is always a problem with “left wing” bloggers, is there not?
It is its invariable association with a pernicious corollary, namely the self-preening and delusional conceit that adherents are the inheritors of a uniquely sensitive ethical, written and spoken sensibility, which confers upon them the right, nay the duty, to dictate to their fellows. That manifestation of narcissism is one which I and many others reject. For such contributors of this stamp, Queen Street or Manners Mall are more suitable locations than DPF’s Kiwiblog.
August 17th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
I knew it; it was only a matter of time before Pinetree was nominated. But I’m pissed off that I didn’t think of the Mad Butcher.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
ahaha rugger Colin Meads?? The guy who put his credibility on the line (for cash) to one of the now defunct finance companies.
Vote:Yeah, we really want his judgment as GG. And I am sure all the other sports would really enjoy another rugger leader…not.
August 17th, 2010 at 4:27 pm
haha just as silly what about Stacey Jones, Michael Campbell, both EverSwindell Sisters or the great Wynton Rufer.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
What’s silly about the Ever Swindell (sp?) sisters.
They could even get their little cycling mate from the little jiggy meat ad (name?); toss in the Mad Butcher and we’ve got a GG quartet to target the meat export market!! (Just an idea; never said it was a good one.)
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
We do NOT want some charismatic individual in this job. A Judge is the ideal candidate. There are plenty of distinguished Judges around who could do this job admirably well. Please do not be tempted to have some celebrity type who just wants to have a bit of fun. A nice sensible Judge with a goodly wife/husband is perfect.
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
… Bob Charles … Michael Hill … Fred Allen … Cyril Brownlee …
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
tvb
What do you mean ? Homos need not apply?
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
… Bert Sutcliffe’s ashes (if the useless pricks who buried them can actually find them)??
Vote:August 17th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
gubbster -
Vote:Meads donated his fee to a charity and lost his own money.
August 18th, 2010 at 12:17 am
Its Winnie!….or I go ape shit ahall akbar etc etc….
Infidel running dog round eye tool of the Jews panty waists etc
Vote:August 18th, 2010 at 8:54 am
flipper, even if he did, surely this kind of folly shows his lack of good judgment.
Vote:Secondly, why should ruggerhead Meads be ahead of any other top sportsperson?
You are not serious are you??!!
August 18th, 2010 at 9:47 am
glubbster -
Judgment ….. mnnnnn …..
Come now glubbster, admit it.
From time to time we all suffer from 20-20 hindsight – politicians, over paid bureaucrats, idiotic academics, Judges (aka lawyers) and other beltway bandits included.
Why Meads? Well, he’s my choice and he could do no worse than a political time server or any other nominee.
Sorry, I forgot John Kerr. If one is a Whitlam/Labour disciple then one would rule out a re-incarnated Kerr.
Vote:Well, you get my drift?