Onwards and upwards

The Trans-Tasman Political Letter is quoting "highly-placed sources" as saying that Helen Clark is to be named as head of the United Nations Development Programme. The full release from Trans-Tasman is posted below.

I'm a bit busy preparing for tonight's Media7 recording, but I'm sure you will all have some thoughts on the news. Feel free to post links to further news and reactions in the discussion for this post.

Here's the release:

TRANS-TASMAN POLITICAL LETTER
For Immediate Release
Clark Gets UN Job
The Trans-Tasman Political Letter reports Helen Clark, NZ's Prime Minister from 1999 to 2008, is to be named as head of the United Nations Development Programme.
This is the highest international post held by a NZer since a former Prime Minister Mike Moore held the post of Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
Highly placed sources have told Trans-Tasman the UN Secretary-General Ban Ky-Moon is confirming the appointment within the next few hours.
The NZ Govt strongly supported Clark's nomination for the job, and John Key lobbied other leaders as well as insisting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade did everything within its means to carry the message of support in its chain of diplomatic missions abroad.
Earlier, Clark gained a place on the shortlist of three but then major donors to the UNDP threw their support behind her.
Clark's credentials include not only her experience as Prime Minister but her leadership on many international issues and the recognition of her role in the evolution of NZ's anti-nuclear policy.
It is expected she will take up the post later this year. Her departure will signal the need for a by-election in the Mt Albert electorate which she has held since 1981.

Righto …

Geoff Lealand, 10:20 Mar 25, 2009

If it so, then it is their gain and our loss. When Helen resigned on election night, everyone said it was a gracious exit; I thought it was far too hasty and there has barely been a squeak out of her since (Michael Cullen too). We really do need a more opposition than the one we have at the moment.

Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report

Geoff Lealand, 10:23 Mar 25, 2009

Apologies--this bloody laptop is still doing doubles.

Someone asked me what my avatar represents--it is me aged 4, from the Screen & Media Studies website (and from a time far, far away)

Lucy Stewart, 10:36 Mar 25, 2009

Good on her, if this pans out; I have every faith that she will do an excellent job.

And, Geoff, I think she hasn't spoken up because Goff needs time to establish himself without the ex-PM popping up every five minutes to offer an opinion. It's been the right tactic, even if Goff hasn't taken as much advantage of it as he could have.

Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2105 posts Report

Russell Brown, 10:38 Mar 25, 2009

And, Geoff, I think she hasn't spoken up because Goff needs time to establish himself without the ex-PM popping up every five minutes to offer an opinion.

Quite. She has limited herself to her Foreign Affairs portfolio -- and when she has had cause to speak on that, she's been very sharp.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

Steve Withers, 10:47 Mar 25, 2009

Congrats to Clark if this proves to be true. She will do a great job.

Auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 312 posts Report

Grace Dalley, 10:48 Mar 25, 2009

If this is true, I'm sure she'll do a fantastic job.

Christchurch • Since Nov 2008 • 138 posts Report

Russell Brown, 10:53 Mar 25, 2009

One thing to look at is the battle for the Mt Albert candidacy. Does Phil Twyford (who has been more or less annointed by Clark in the past) go there, or continue to build a profile in Auckland Central, where he's already the buddy MP?

Luke Williamson, 10:56 Mar 25, 2009

Phil Twyford is North Shore isn't he?

Warkworth • Since Oct 2007 • 297 posts Report

Kyle Matthews, 11:05 Mar 25, 2009

That's no surprise, but good on her.

I'm more interested to see where Cullen ends up. To me that's more of an interesting unknown.

Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report

Russell Brown, 11:05 Mar 25, 2009

Yes, but that's one of those unwinnable seat apprenticeships.

He'll have to choose between standing in a solid seat this year (he was Clark's electorate secretary for a while) or continuing his work in Auckland Central and standing there in 2011.

James Liddell, 11:10 Mar 25, 2009

Treaty settlement negotiations. He loved that portfolio last year. And was bloody good at it too.

Wellington • Since Jul 2007 • 102 posts Report

Luke Williamson, 11:10 Mar 25, 2009

He's a good man. I would like to see him in his own electorate, wherever that may be.

DexterX, 11:25 Mar 25, 2009

Comedy Central – to be charmed for shore - Minnie Mouse gets management position in Mickey Mouse Outfit.

Musical chairs Mt Albert - Goofy fumbles in the dark while Donald Duck looks for a seat.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report

Gary Rawnsley, 11:30 Mar 25, 2009

Well, Labour will need to be careful with its candidate selection, because it could just lose Mt Albert. Clark's gigantic majority (over 10,000) hides the fact that it's not as solidly red an electorate as you might think: Labour outpolled National on the party vote by only seven points in 2008 (42% plays 35% - albeit with the Greens polling 11%). Given National's honeymoon in the polls, is it not conceivable that National secures a massive symbolic victory here?

Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 28 posts Report

BenWilson, 11:30 Mar 25, 2009

Stink, so I have to vote again? Then again, I can probably vote NORML without worrying about the remote chance that my one vote could put National in power.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

Rich of Observationz, 11:33 Mar 25, 2009

<cynicism>Yeah, well on Phil Goff's recent form, he might just not contest the by-election and announce that, really, we should all be backing that nice Mr Key by voting National.</cynicism>

Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

Raymond A Francis, 11:33 Mar 25, 2009

Good on Helen, bit of a feeling she has been aiming at this for a while and lets hope (beyond hope actually) that she can knock some sense into the organisation

45' South • Since Nov 2006 • 578 posts Report

Geoff Lealand, 11:36 Mar 25, 2009

He's a good man.

I agree. My initial posting might have sounded a little critical but it is just that we need people like him and Helen to stay around and give heaps it to the gummint.

@DexterX. You are confusing your channels--stick to the Disney Channel. Is that the North Shore, or the shores of MalibU?

Joe Wylie, 11:50 Mar 25, 2009

Goofy fumbles in the dark while Donald Duck looks for a seat.

Gyro Gearloose attempts a laboured metaphor.

flat earth • Since Jan 2007 • 4593 posts Report

Leopold, 12:19 Mar 25, 2009

Wonder if its worth having a gander at what Kiwiblog's commentariat is saying about this....
Naa, can probably write it myself - lesbianazi liarbore now in hags'nkisses with Mugabe and other muzzi wogs...

Since Jan 2007 • 153 posts Report

Gareth Ward, 12:26 Mar 25, 2009

Haha, loved that guy.
Well done Helen - yet again NZ punching above it's weight on the international stage.

Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report

Kumara Republic, 12:35 Mar 25, 2009

All speed for the UN appointment.

Either or. For the other seat that Mr Twyford doesn't fill, maybe someone like Chris Yoo (#53 on the 2008 list) would be ideal, he could reach to ethnic swing voters and make a nice counterbalance to Melissa Lee on the other side of the chamber.

The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report

Russell Brown, 12:40 Mar 25, 2009

Just looked. Yup.

Angus Robertson, 13:02 Mar 25, 2009

Congratulations to Helen Clark, hope she is able to be effective at the UN.

Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report

Hard News by Russell Brown

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