Kerre Woodham: The Government is a rudderless ship

You have to feel for Chris Hipkins as a person, don't you?

As a boss, fresh from dealing with the shootings in downtown Auckland on the eve of the FIFA Women's World Cup, a few days later he then has to deal with one of the few remaining ministers formally known to be competent, self-destructing in spectacular fashion. The former Justice Minister Kiri Allan resigned this morning, after being charged with reckless driving and resisting arrest in Wellington last night.  

Now, I know it's probably an unpopular thing to say, but I really liked the cut of Kiri Allan’s gib. I only had dealings with her through the wireless and conducting interviews with her, but she was so refreshing. After one interview, I was moved to say my God, it's just so wonderful to deal with somebody who answers questions, who doesn't do the whole bureau speak. I think that was when she was Civil Defence Minister.

I have no idea what it would be like to report to her or clearly some people within the public service found it difficult, and it's also clear that she has been struggling with her job or succession of ministerial portfolios for some time.  

Does anyone have confidence in this Government?

I mean, even members of the Government must be starting to lack confidence in their own management.

If I was Hipkins, I'd throw in the towel and say, you know what? We're not doing this right. I don't have enough good people to steer the good ship New Zealand. It does feel like a rudderless ship, lurching and listing towards the election. Who would you describe as competent enough to be in charge of multi-billion dollar portfolios?

I know it's only a few months to the election, but there's no guarantees that any one party is going to form the next Government. It just seems in the last few years that people are being elected to Parliament who are really struggling, and that's on all sides of the House, not just this lot.

Is that the nature of the job, the nature of people right now?  Social media?  

How many months to the election? Three? A rudderless ship for three months. What could possibly go wrong?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.