https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/11/0...are-excellent/
From Chris Trotter :
Clearly, the Prime Minister has been more concerned to keep the peace within her vastly expanded caucus, than she has to match the right people with the right positions. This is not a good start – and only promises to get worse.
No amount of fluffing-up the elevation of Nanaia Mahuta to Minister of Foreign Affairs – “the first woman in our nation’s history appointed to hold the portfolio” – can disguise the sheer awfulness and irresponsibility of Ardern’s decision.
The job should have gone to David Parker: not only because he has earned it many times over, but also because, in the years between now and the next election,
New Zealand is going to need a truly outstanding Foreign Minister. Regardless of who wins the 3 November presidential election, the conflict between the USA and China is going to ramp-up into something with the potential to inflict huge damage on this country and its economy.
New Zealand needs a Foreign Minister of vision, courage, verbal felicity and real, on-the-ground, experience.
Mahuta, sadly, has not distinguished herself as a person over-endowed with any of these qualities.