Top 10 choices for Governor-General
October 3rd, 2010 at 2:00 pm by David FarrarThe HoS reports on the request by the Republican Movement to the Prime Minister, to let Parliament vote on who the next Governor-General will be.
Over 1,200 nominations have been made, through the Movement’s campaign site. The 10 most popular (in alphabetical order) are:
Ray Avery: 2010 New Zealander of the Year, a scientist whose work has enhanced the lives of many in third-world countries through his low-cost healthcare inventions.
Jim Bolger: Prime minister 1990-97. Taranaki-born Bolger oversaw the introduction of MMP and radical economic and social changes.
Justice Sir Eddie Durie: The first Maori appointed to the high court. He was chief judge of the Maori Land Court 1980-98 and Waitangi Tribunal chair 1980-2004.
Jeanette Fitzsimons: Co-leader of the Green Party 1995-2010. An MP from 1996-2010.
John Hood: A Rhodes Scholar, Oxford vice-chancellor 2004-09.
Sir Peter Leitch: Known as the Mad Butcher and famous for his charity work and support of sport. Pictured above with daughter Angela.
Lieutenant-General Jerry Mateparae: Current Defence Force chief. First Maori appointed to position in 2006.
Sir Don McKinnon: Commonwealth secretary-general 1999-2009, minister of foreign affairs 1990-99 and deputy prime minister 1990-96.
Sir Geoffrey Palmer: Prime minister 1989-90 and deputy prime minister 1984-89. Currently Law Commission president.
Dame Anne Salmond: Noted historian who is a member of the British Royal Society and was pro-chancellor of the Auckland University 1997-2006.
I’m against politicians being GG, but would be very comfortable with John Hood, Sir Peter Leitch, Lt General Mateparae or Dame Anne Salmond.
Related posts:
- Governor-General Jerry Mateparae
- Who do you think should be NZ’s next Governor-General?
- The next Governor-General
- Next Governor-General
October 3rd, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Oh, Sue Bradford didn’t make the top 10! Did the UN forget to organise some bogus bulk voting?
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 2:13 pm
The Philanthropist, the Butcher, and the Soldier would be acceptable in fact laudable appointments…. The rest a good argument for one of the Royals or another Indian to fill the job. If those are the 12 best out of 1200 nominations then it is truly proof that our best and brightest are fleeing the country.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 2:31 pm
“Over 1,200 nominations have been made, through the Movement’s campaign site.” – this indicates the bias of those nominating and voting.
Jeanette Fitzsimmons sounds good: a figure head with the right attitude to the biggest challenge that will face us this century: climate change. Pity she isn’t president.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Jeanette Fitzsimmons? The right attitude? I thought she was a climate reality denier?
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Certainly all the people named are eminent in their respective fields but what do you need to be GG anyway, besides an ability to wear outdated regalia without feeling you look like you should be on top of a wedding cake?
Thus pretty much anyone could do the job, so I suggest a year-long term, decided by a national lottery.
It’d be far more entertaining than at present, and thus a better use of the ridiculous amounts we pay to sustain the whole charade that the GG is a bulwark against totalitarian tendencies in government.
“Yeah, I’d like to do something about the whole ‘Gerry Brownlee’s Emperor for life’ situation bro, but I gotta swing by the rellies for a few beers and then I’m off to put a bet on. Call me tomorrow, eh? I might have some time free before I sign some Orders in Council. Hey before you go, you couldn’t lend me that packet of Winnie Blues couldya? The Civil List’s a bit tight this month”.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 3:51 pm
no to any past or present politician please .. it’s a reason that I’m not keen on becoming a Republic.
Vote:I’m sort of ok with Jurie, fine with the General but don’t know the others. The but would be cool but worried he would call the Queen mate
October 3rd, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Why cant the Nats choose there own this time. Labour chose two PC candidates so fuck the republic movement.
There candidate would be a Eurasian/polynesian/maori who is bi sexual and cares for the environment with a triple degree from a top university, who is a member of an elitist clique who claims to be in touch with the common man.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 3:57 pm
OctG missed that they also like academics
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Can we get Momentum to do the Head hunting, and preferably in PNG.
How about Helun Klark for a lifetime achievement in screwing us all over, and getting away with it!
We do need some Artistic Input really.
Or how about that cheeky bloke that knicked about $158k and is good at quotas and buying OAP votes?
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 4:04 pm
jaba
Of course yes an Academic for at least 15 years who then will be number 32 on the liarbour party list. We can then declare republic and change the flag followed by a $50 million dollar multicultural bash to celebrate republic day with Indian/Chinese/Pasifika and maori cultures on offer to celebrate the real cultures of New Zealand.
On Australia Day they have Citizenship ceremonies with new aussies in there traditional cultural dress receive there certificates of citizenship and then get interviewed by the ABC saying how racist and intolerant my new country is.
I was in George St Sydney last Australia Day and it was a lavish parade of ethnic cultures on display flying the flags of there ethnic homelands demanding a republic and to fase out anglo aussiness.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Apart from the few mentioned, sad reading , Jim Bolger, Sir Geoffrey Palmer & Jeanette Fitzsimons (you have got to be kidding).
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Ye gods. Further evidence of the downside in permitting unqualified voting.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Octagon, wtf?
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Does it really matter? Whilst there are some constitutional protocols that the GG must follow it is a bit of a ceremonial position in the main. Peter Leitch at least could throw a decent barbeque from time to time.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 6:09 pm
A Mad Butcher BBQ sounds a bit too Kiwi for that sort of role.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Mark
Careful, you’re starting to sound like someone who actually buys the butcher’s sawdust sausages.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Dunno about his sossies but his “meat” patties are the bomb!!
Judge Eddie…good choice!!
Not a polly, surely Jim/Geoff/Jeanette (gag) have been rewarded enough for their…ahem, “service”. The gravy train is surely full enough as it is!
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Whaleoil for me.
JC
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 8:56 pm
jaba @ 3:51,
Good call!! How could we even contemplate the idea of a republic when we think the best head of state (or representative) is The Mad Butcher?
Can you see any of those names as “President of New Zealand”. Oh please (or to borrow from my children “puhleeeze”)
Actually, you could argue that any would be perfect, the it does point towards the idea that a NZ republic would become a banana republic very quickly. And one that can’t grow bananas. Or can we? (Anyone think there are any banana personifications in the long list of candidates?)
Given that we are too small, and the catchment pool for politicians too miniscule, to entertain another House or Chamber, are we entertaining then that President is simply a title change for what we currently call a PM? (along with the ability to sign off their own bills.) In which case, we wouldn’t need any of these lot (again, in some cases.)
I suggest we stick with the same-ol’ same-ol’ selection approach for the time being. I think one this that is right though, it is time we have an open & public discussion to ask the good people just how much they want to switch the anachronistic monarchy for a banana republic.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Not BOLGER ,my wifes cousin and hes turned into the biggest trougher,wont do anything unless he gets his bucks,claims everything and could only be descibed as Hunts understudy.
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 10:46 pm
@Guy Fawkes
What do you mean by ‘us’, kemosabe?
Vote:October 3rd, 2010 at 11:21 pm
I could live with the General and perhaps Don McKinnon. Peter Leitch would be an embarrassment.
I still think Sir Wilson Whineray stands out like the proverbial as the best person available.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Why do seperatist republicans think they should decide who the monarchs rep should be?
They should be against the entire concept. But then they’re desperate for attention.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Don McKinnon would be an embarrassment.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 10:49 am
I’d vote for Andrew Williams, just for the press coverage, my Herald is getting far to skinny these days!
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 11:17 am
Dame Anne Salmond would be my choice from that list.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
I would choose Dame Anne Salmond, amazing teacher, orator, strong, full of grace and knowledge.
Vote:October 4th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
John Key inadvertantly dissmissed Sir Peter Leitch as a potential G.G. on TV1′s Breakfast Show in an interview with Paul Henry.
Vote:John Key was cagey as to who he preferred or whom had been considered for the roll when Anand Satnayand’s term expires in August of next year. Paul Henry pursued that comment with a potentially embarrassing remark by suggesting that the PM pick someone who looks like us. John Key batted the remark off with a “wait and see reply”.
At this stage Jim Bolger looks a shoe in for the role due largely to his long political career and experience but also in his ability to function as an ambassador while in the USA as Consulate General.
An outside chance would also go to Jenny Shipley who is equally as experienced as Bolger.