Bay of Plenty Times

Cabinet report card

As the National Party heads to its conference this weekend, senior political correspond­ent Audrey Young runs the rule over ministers’ performanc­e

Christophe­r Luxon today is not the same Christophe­r Luxon of last year. Delegates to the National Party conference in South Auckland this weekend will see that.

He has the same energy but he is tougher, busier and a little more impatient.

He has been battle-hardened by a successful election campaign and the realities of Government.

He developed a large coalition agreement with two of the prickliest operators in politics, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and Act leader David Seymour.

He has been Prime Minister of the “best country on planet Earth” as he calls it since he and other ministers were sworn in on November 27.

Some of his own ministers have been performing extremely well, such as Chris Bishop, Simeon Brown and Erica Stanford, who have scored highest in today’s Cabinet report card.

Luxon dealt with the ones who were struggling, Melissa Lee and Penny Simmonds, more swiftly and ruthlessly than his mentor, the “smiling assassin” Sir John Key.

That has put all ministers on notice that high standards are expected.

Today’s ratings are out of 10 and reflect a judgment about how effective ministers have been in delivering the Government’s policy, how effective they have been in their public dealings and in leadership roles where relevant. The ratings are not about the merits of policy.

Luxon himself while having accomplish­ed a lot to become Prime Minister has room for improvemen­t.

He talks up his optimism but is often defensive or negative.

He has been at his most positive on the numerous internatio­nal missions he has led to promote New Zealand — with the exception of bagging the “C-listers” from business who accompanie­d other prime ministers.

The C-listers insult was an example of Luxon’s inexperien­ce — the insult was clearly intended for previous Labour Prime Ministers Chris Hipkins and Jacinda Ardern, not business leaders.

But he is not yet as politicall­y dexterous as he needs to be. In press conference­s and interviews, he often relies on bluster or sloganeeri­ng, which makes him sound more robotic than real.

He can be decisive, such as when he decided not to take a Wellington accommodat­ion allowance to which he was entitled.

But he can also let stubborn issues drag out. It took four days, for example, for him to admit he could have expressed himself better over the “C-listers”.

In the confusing press conference with Mark Mitchell about the Correction­s budget, Luxon repeatedly said he couldn’t make it any simpler when he was clearly as confused as the media.

At this week’s post-cabinet press conference, however, Luxon was much better. His business experience showed as he set out why the Government had appointed a commission­er to Health NZ.

His management style involves sticking close to problem areas and he will be clamped on to the health spending crisis until he is satisfied it is under control.

He sets goals and targets to improve performanc­e. The previous Government had back-office officials ticking off coalition promises. Luxon has made a virtue of them and turned them into public quarterly “action plans”.

Managing the coalition is complicate­d because it is the prerogativ­e of the Act Party and New Zealand First leaders to choose their ministers and discipline them.

But given the characters involved, and the potential for friction, Luxon appears to be managing it well and he has rated 8.

Christophe­r Luxon 8 Prime Minister

A strong manager of Cabinet and caucus. Decisive in removing struggling ministers from portfolios early. Sets high-performanc­e standards and goals but needs to keep sloganeeri­ng in check. Has hands-off management of coalition partners. Strong effort in representi­ng NZ abroad with six trips so far. Yet to be tested in a crisis.

Winston Peters 8 Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs, Racing, NZ First leader

Slipped back into Foreign Affairs like a well-worn saddle and NZ’S interests are benefittin­g from his experience. Is living up to the goal of intensifyi­ng relationsh­ips in his hectic travel schedule. Could more actively and calmly front-foot his reset towards Us-led alliances. Has not given cause for any question of commitment to the coalition. Is leaving much of his party branding to his party’s other MPS, especially Shane Jones, and social media.

Nicola Willis 8 Finance, Public Service, Social Investment

Superb at managing the politics, possibly better than managing the books. Delivered on promised tax cuts but added $12 billion more borrowing than forecast in December. Biggest blunder was not including cancer drugs in first Budget but corrected it quickly with more than promised. Biggest test will be decisions flowing on from her bold call to cancel order for Cook Strait ferries.

Chris Bishop 9 Housing, Infrastruc­ture, RMA Reform, Sport and Recreation

One of busiest and brightest ministers who is treating the job with urgency. A model to other ministers. Came into Government with clarity about what he wants to do, shares his plans in speeches and consultati­on documents, engages publicly with a willingnes­s to change if required.

Shane Reti 7 Health

Saddled with a restructur­ed health system he never wanted, in a perpetual state of crisis, he had a bumpy start. Is not great on the politics. Should concentrat­e on the fix and health outcomes. Installing his own commission­er to run Health NZ gives him greater influence to change the system. It also means he has to own the outcomes. There’ll be no excuses in a year.

Simeon Brown 9 Transport, Energy, Local Government

Has a dry but important set of portfolios and is turning out to be the Government’s most populist minister — road cones, potholes, motorways and speed limits. Has also overseen the repeal of Three Waters and reintroduc­tion of local referenda on Ma¯ori wards on councils. Highly combative in the House. Effective communicat­or outside it.

Erica Stanford 9 Education, Immigratio­n, Government’s Response to Royal Commission into Abuse in State Care

Energetic. On top of her brief. One of the best-prepared ministers, having immersed herself in two big portfolios, education and immigratio­n, in Opposition. Changes have been wellsignal­led and explained including adopting structured literacy, slowing down NCEA reform and having a more standardis­ed curriculum. Has handled role responding to abuse report exceptiona­lly well so far but it’s early days. Challenges over redress are yet to come.

Paul Goldsmith 8

Justice, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Media and Communicat­ions, SOES, Treaty of Waitangi Negotiatio­ns

Competent, confident and a freethinke­r. Has the most diverse set of portfolios. A calm Government voice in the law-and-order debate. Best move: public meetings on law and order. Picked up media in reshuffle. A bigger test is to come in overseeing changes to foreshore and seabed laws and review of Treaty in legislatio­n without an uprising from Ma¯ori.

Louise Upston 6

Social Developmen­t and Employment, Community and Voluntary Sector, Disability Issues, Child Poverty Reduction

Had the advantage of being shadow Social Developmen­t Minister for six years before getting the job so was well prepared. PM had enough confidence to add the troubled Disabiliti­es portfolio to her in April reshuffle. Big blunders: missing the first reading of one of her own bills last week, forcing its discharge, and quietly lowering child poverty reduction targets without announcing it.

Judith Collins 7

Defence, Attorney-general, GCSB, NZSIS, Science, Innovation and Technology, Space, Digitising Government, Response to the Royal Commission into Christchur­ch Terrorist Attack

Diligently engineered her own rehabilita­tion after being axed as party leader in Opposition and is reaping the rewards. Gained trusted and responsibl­e portfolios, including spy agencies. Is an orthodox Attorneyge­neral (a good thing) and is working closely with Peters on Aukus issues. She is in her element.

Mark Mitchell 7

Police, Correction­s, Emergency Management and Recovery

Began term with public arm-wrestle with Police Commission­er which was always going to end in a draw. Has had a couple of hiccups: raising doubts about meeting pledged extra cops and running abysmal press conference when delivering a big boost to the Correction­s budget. But plays an important role as National’s tub-thumper on law and order.

Todd Mcclay 7

Trade, Agricultur­e, Forestry, Hunting and Fishing

Doing well in much tougher environmen­t than when he held Trade six years ago. Has travelled extensivel­y including to WTO and G7 meetings, to India and China. Launched talks for FTA with UAE, with China for a services trade agreement and concluded a deal on sustainabi­lity started by Labour. Senior Agricultur­e Minister in a very crowded space with three associates but it seems to be working.

Tama Potaka 6 Conservati­on, Ma¯ori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, Ma¯ori Developmen­t, Wha¯nau Ora, Associate Housing

Carries a lot of weight on his shoulders as the minister for primarily Ma¯orirelated portfolios in a Government accused of eroding Ma¯ori rights and the Treaty of Waitangi.

Handling that difficult job reasonably well without mishap. But needs to do more than just keeping out of trouble.

Matt Doocey 6

Mental Health, ACC, Tourism and Hospitalit­y, Youth, Associate Transport

The first Mental Health Minister, his focus and advocacy is helping to reduce the stigma of mental health problems. Has challenges to get his sector in shape with dire workforce shortage and the overall health system under huge strain. In ACC, could have important role in response to Royal Commission Report on Abuse in State Care. Please read it.

Simon Watts 7 Climate Change, Revenue

One of Cabinet’s nerds, well suited to the complexiti­es of climate change and the Emissions Trading System. But so far is overseeing policy contractio­n, not innovative policy to drive down emissions. Not much to do in Inland Revenue portfolio with tax policy well foreshadow­ed by the Finance Minister. Had a lucky break in the April reshuffle and was promoted.

Melissa Lee 3 Economic Developmen­t, Ethnic Communitie­s

Reduced to putting out promotiona­l press statements for big events partfunded by

Government and speeches to mark important ethnic events. Had six years in Opposition to develop a cohesive media policy but didn’t. Wasn’t ready when a crisis struck and was stripped of Media and Communicat­ions and demoted from Cabinet.

Penny Simmonds 4 Environmen­t, Tertiary Education and Skills

Environmen­t was a puzzling appointmen­t by Luxon and without giving her responsibi­lity for the biggest issue within it, RMA reform, which went to Bishop. Has been relieved of responsibi­lity for Disabiliti­es sector because her inexperien­ce led to failures by the new ministry Whaikaha. Great pressure to perform in Tertiary Education where she is undoing the national polytech merger. Surviving, not thriving.

Chris Penk 7

Building and Constructi­on, Land Informatio­n, Veterans

Has begun Building and Constructi­on with gusto including reviews of building consent processes, earthquake-prone risks, fire-safety and insulation standards and public works laws. Needs to take care not to become a victim of his own enthusiasm and to ensure fast change is justified. Potential for future promotion if there are no stuff-ups.

Nicola Grigg 5 Women, Associate Trade, Associate Agricultur­e

Hasn’t had a chance to shine or falter because of absence for maternity leave. Has responsibi­lity for horticultu­re. Is in the school of 2020, entering Parliament the same year as Luxon. Wasn’t a high achiever in Opposition but has always seemed promising. Doesn’t have forever to fulfil that promise.

Andrew Bayly 7 Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Small Business and Manufactur­ing, Statistics

Quietly energetic. Making the most of his consumer-oriented portfolios. Last week saw the first reading of a bill paving the way for open banking and electricit­y, making it easy for customers to switch. Has also reversed finance regulation­s that made borrowing harder and has planned changes to insurance law and personal banking.

David Seymour 8

Act leader, Regulation, Associate Education, Associate Health, Associate Justice

Has advanced his party’s agenda significan­tly in every portfolio, from charter schools, Pharmac reset, and establishi­ng new Ministry of Regulation. Is drafting Treaty Principles Bill. Has maintained discipline in his party for most of the term but has put Luxon in a difficult position by continuing to criticise Waitangi Tribunal. Excellent communicat­or.

Brooke van Velden 7 Workplace Relations and Safety, Internal Affairs

Took over Workplace issues from a standing start and appears to be ambitiousl­y working through problem areas including the Holidays Act tangle. But may face staunch opposition to any reform of health and safety laws. Has a handful of miscellane­ous responsibi­lities under Internal Affairs (Fire and Emergency, Lotteries) that have no special interest for Act but just need a common-sense minister. Fits the bill.

Nicole Mckee 7 Courts, Associate Justice

For someone who came to Parliament as a one-issue wonder from the firearms lobby, she has broadened her interests and appeal. Has become a figure of dependabil­ity in the Act Party. Has been given responsibi­lity for reinstatin­g Three Strikes in a modified form. But will need some special skill in overseeing the review of firearms laws which had wide support after the mosques massacre.

Andrew Hoggard 6 Biosecurit­y, Food Safety, Associate Agricultur­e, Associate Environmen­t

The former farming politician is working through Act’s big policy promises in agricultur­e from exiting the ETS, changing freshwater farm plans, and reinstatin­g livestock exports. One blunder was suspending the requiremen­t of councils to comply with the law regarding significan­t natural areas (SNAS) until it was pointed out that only dictators have such powers.

Karen Chhour 8

Children, Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence

No minister has been able to articulate with such clarity the problems with Oranga Tamariki. It will be a miracle if she can change it but she has a strength of purpose and character not often seen. Has already withstood political pressure over removing section 77A, which would break other ministers. Facing similar pressure over “boot camp” pilot. She has reappointe­d the board of Ma¯ori advisers and iwi leaders who served under the previous Government.

Shane Jones 7

Regional Developmen­t, Resources, Oceans and Fisheries

Driven and unapologet­ic. Knows how to get a headline and that attracting criticism from detractors usually doubles the impact. But he is attracting criticism for reasons that leave an aftertaste – e.g. undeclared dinners. That said, he is effectivel­y upholding the NZ First brand through support of mining, drilling, damming, and directly taking on Te Pati Ma¯ori and the Greens.

Casey Costello 5 Customs, Seniors, Associate Health, Associate Police

Thrown into Cabinet soon after her election, she had a terrible start over her response to OIA requests regarding advice on tobacco, which the Ombudsman has recently ruled were unlawful. With responsibi­lity for tobacco policy and getting 500 extra cops, she is withstandi­ng a pincer movement between Labour attack dogs former Health Minister Ayesha Verrall and former Police Minister Ginny Anderson.

Mark Patterson 5

Rural Communitie­s, Associate Agricultur­e, Associate Regional Developmen­t

One of three associate Agricultur­e Ministers, he has significan­tly less responsibi­lity than Act’s Hoggard. Has responsibi­lity for Landcorp and wool. Doing his best to revitalise the flagging wool sector with target to double exports in 10 years. Was involved in farm politics in Southland and in the National Party until missing out on selection to Todd Barclay (and was once taught woodwork by Speaker Gerry Brownlee).