This year has had some odd beginnings for me. Here I am agreeing with David Farrar. Well actually, we agree on a number of issues I suspect. Just not some of the really fundamental ones.
Anyway, David drew attention on Kiwiblog to the fact that none of us (on Red Alert) have congratulated Mike Moore on his appointment as NZ Amabassador to the US.
Of course Labour has made a statement in MSM congratulating Mike. But fair cop, we haven’t said anything here.
There’s two things to say. Firstly, it’s an honour and a measure of the man that he has merited such an appointment. It’s hugely significant and follows from his rather interesting, but stellar career as Prime Minister of New Zealand and Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
The second thing is to draw attention to his book Saving Globalisation launched a few months ago in Parliament. I haven’t had time to do more than flick through it, but it’s hugely interesting and informative and somewhat controversial.
Not just for those interested in globalisation, but for anyone interested in the state of progressive/social democratic ideas in a globalised world.
A recent review on Amazon puts the essence of the book like this:
Moore passionately believes that greater international economic engagement and interdependence driven by truly free trade can reduce poverty and promote more freedom and democracy throughout the world.
Weirdly, I’ve heard that the book hasn’t been reviewed in New Zealand. Not sure if that’s true, but if so, for goodness sake what’s wrong with us?
I don’t know Mike well. I’m newish to politics, he’s at another level. But we’ve had a couple of robust conversations (over fish and chips) and I like that he’s constantly thinking and challenging our ideas and political strategies. I’m looking forward to more robust discussions and think he retains enormous value in our Party, in our country. So congratulations Mike, keep on doing us all proud.
What has Mike Moore achieved NZ politics other than being a ‘fountain’ of ideas. He has had a very long career as a MP and would have been a Minister ( of Trade ?) and a very short time as PM.
Is he the Cecil Rhodes of NZ, having made his mark overseas. Will he get a building in Geneva named after him – or maybe a fountain
gww – lamb burgers?
Well done though Clare for a belated acknowledgement of Mike Moore’s appointment – a case perhaps of better late than never. It would be interesting to know though what some of those who served alongside Moore are thinking.
Interesting that MM wanted to form another Party in 1996 ( for MMP) NZ Democratic Coalition.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Democratic_Coalition
All while he was an elected Labour MP!! .
Its called carpetbagger.I know 1996 was a crazy year for politics but some have been expelled from parliament party for similar
Mike Moore was an excellent Leader, thinker and ‘doer’ as he pointed out in the Dominion Post yesterday. I believe his thinking about the global world and trade challenges many ideas in the Labour Party and we should be proud to call him our own. Ghostwalkernz a carpetbagger is someone who heads south to find a political home. The only time Moore could be accussed of that was in 1978 when he left Auckland to successfully stand in Christchurch. Moore did think about starting another party (the proposed name you mention is wrong btw) but the point is he didn’t.
GWW,
Michael Laws talked about that in ‘The Demon Profession’ which, regardless of your personal views of him now, is actually a hell of a good read (pun intended).
Winston was invloved with NZDC too, he and Mike were going to be co-leaders.
Mike was deeply dissatisfied with the way the Labour Party treated him, but he had too many ties/bonds to the party and wasn’t willing to betray Labour. Winston didn’t want to wait any longer and struck out on his own with NZF.
I think our ambassadors should be career public servants and not political appointments. Why would people dedicate their lives to the public service such as foreign affairs if the top posts are given to outsiders? I see this as another part of the current trend in undermining the public service.
Well done Clare.
You placed yourself at the lead of the WOBH MP of the month award with your mea culpa post today.
Also refreshing that you will at least admit to owning Mike’s book about Globalisation. That again is a feather in your cap.
And I was worried when the penguin praised me.
I see the ‘clobbering machine’ is in full swing. Moore’s appointment is a very smart move by Key and McCully, and his acceptance of the role is a further demonstration of Moore’s devotion to his country, in my humble opinion.
It’s Mr Penguin to you Trevor.
Hilary – I think it is horses for courses and I have no doubt Mike will have access esp but not only in the trade area well beyond what a public servant would have.
But is this just a one-off, Trevor? What is next – Jenny Shipley for London, Simon Upton for Paris, Richard Worth for India? It could be the beginning of a complete politicisation of the Foreign Affairs top posts, and side-swiping the public servants.
MM clobbering machine ?. Hardly . I think that Mike is a great fit for the new job and is well suited to represent NZ overseas- Im sure he could do it in his sleep.
However, what a waste of his political skills that werent harnessed in domestic policy .
That is what I meant about the lack of results from his time in parliament.
So Hilary, tell us again about Jonathan Hunt, Graeme Kelly, Sandra Lee and Brian Donnelly ….
Hillary, stop sucking on Lemon’s
He got the Job because he was seen as the best person for the role.
I haven’t always agreed with Mike but he’ll be superb in this post and frankly a more energetic and dedicated public servant would be hard to find.
Well done to him! Definitely proud.
Though – and I say this with the greatest respect – I’m not sure what I think of political appointees to diplomatic postings when there are scores of hard-working public servants at MFAT whose role is to serve in positions like this, but are not really given the chance.
Next step: abolish MFAT and make all appointments political from the get-go.
I think we could get an all-party accord on this one!
Trevor, horses for courses? How come it took a National government to recognise that Moore might have something to contribute to New Zealand? Big kudos, Prime Minister Key.
@ Jennifer
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t it the Labour-led government who backed Mike Moore to the hilt when he was chosen to lead the WTO? Okay, he didn’t contribute directly to NZ, but that was the job he wanted at the time.
Anne, it was the Shipley government.
@ Jennifer
What I remember is Helen Clark being interviewed on TV and expressing Labour’s wholesome support for his nomination. I have to assume then that Labour joined forces with the Shipley government.
@ Jennifer
Err… that should be fulsome support. Btw, I don’t doubt you’re correct, but I think it’s a bit unfair to suggest that Labour never recognised Mike Moore’s abilities and potential. But he didn’t always endear himself to the 5th Labour govt. Indeed, some of his criticisms were highly questionable at the time and smacked of sour grapes – never a good look for an aspiring ex-politician.
Tom Scott has been pretty ho hum for quite a while
but I think he got it about right with his recent cartoon in the dompost
“give nz anything they want”..
It may well be prophetic (do not annoy the US president).
Anne and Jennifer
Please enlighten me with examples of unwholesome support
(No! farrar or whaleoil do not qualify).
ghostwhowalksnz: It’s a bit late for comments. But Mike’s term as WTO director helped boost other countries confidence in it. It also allowed for other developing countries to join it, including China and lifted poverty for them. You might not see his work in front of you but it is everywhere to some degree. Also give Mike some leeway, he was politically frustrated and MMP was a exciting new system offering hope as well as opportuniy. I’m sure there was more than one MP in National and Labour that thought of creating their own party or jumping ship.