New entrants get their first-term class report

By HERALD POLITICAL STAFF

It's time to tally up who has made the grade in the Clark ministry.

Helen Clark Prime Minister 9/10

A Prime Minister in the fullest sense. Leading from the front and insisting on performance. Her experience and preparation are paying off. Untested by crisis.

Jim Anderton Deputy Prime Minister, Economic Development 7/10

Slow off the blocks in Economic Development. Still purring like a pussycat and playing a fine second fiddle to Clark. Meanwhile, the Alliance's support burns.

Michael Cullen Finance, Accident Insurance, Leader of the House 8/10

Extremely clever and able, but in danger of unforced errors through overwork. Finance Ministers should not be Leader of the House. Behaving himself with the Alliance.

Steve Maharey Social Services and Employment, Tertiary Education 5/10

Tripped at the start line over his handling of Christine Rankin. Will never live down saying "That's the sort of thing you say in Opposition." Yet to show why he deserves Labour's No 3 spot.

Phil Goff Foreign Affairs, Justice 7/10

Liberal Labour will need his toughness on law and order, but he should not have the job of Justice if he is to do Foreign Affairs to McKinnon's standards. Danger that he and Clark will fall foul of each other on foreign policy.

Annette King Health 5/10

Overhauling an area National eventually brought under control and has yet to convince the public it will result in better healthcare.

Sandra Lee Conservation, Local Government 4/10

Invisible apart from flak over press secretary's driving charges. Yet to stamp personal or party brand on any issue.

Jim Sutton Agriculture, Trade 6/10

Talks slow, thinks smart. Without Mike Moore's style or Lockwood Smith's effusiveness. Won no friends saying the Alliance had "rocks in their heads" on trade.

Trevor Mallard Education, State Services, Sport, Associate Finance 8/10

Mr Fix-it. Ably handling his own heavy workload and ailing colleague Paul Swain's too. Would warrant a hefty performance bonus in the private sector. Part of Clark's small team of dependables.

Pete Hodgson Forestry, Energy, Fisheries, Science and Technology, Timberlands 6/10

Will find it hard to shine under heavy workload and mixed bag of portfolios. Has another chance to get tough over the Timberlands/Kit Richards affair.

Margaret Wilson Attorney-General, Labour, Treaty Issues 7/10

Experienced colleagues are in awe of her competence but she will need political skills to drive the dicey treaty issues for Labour. Dismissiveness may trip her up.

Dover Samuels Maori Affairs 2/10

Dreadful start and may spend the rest of the term recovering. No comfort in being flanked by the ambitious Sandra Lee and Parekura Horomia. Top marks for going for two weeks without a stuffup.

Matt Robson Corrections, Disarmament 6/10

Prisons are a minefield for this well-meaning affable liberal. Will be difficult to avoid friction with hardline Goff.

Lianne Dalziel Immigration 6/10

On probation in small but tricky portfolio. May yet surprise.

George Hawkins Police 6/10

In Goff's shadow on the Labour right. No blunders so far but the hard parts, Doone and Incis, were handled by more senior ministers. Will cause few problems in a portfolio Labour can find difficult.

Mark Burton Defence, Internal Affairs, Tourism 7/10

Under Clark's shadow in the pick of the bunch, Defence. Safe to the point of tedium. Makes Bill Birch look vibrant.

Paul Swain Commerce, Communications. No mark due to absence.

Could not hide his disappointment on returning from illness to witness his Commerce Ministry overtaken and renamed Economic Development by Jim Anderton. Still recovering.

Marian Hobbs Environment, Broadcasting, Biosecurity 4/10

Appalling start. Too much, too soon for a new minister in areas bursting with activists. Smart enough to catch on. Must apply herself better and not try to wing it.

Mark Gosche Transport, Housing, Pacific Island Affairs 7/10

Scored major coup in convincing cabinet to implement state-house rents policy in first year. Making mark on transport too. A standout for promotion.

Laila Harre Women's Affairs, Youth Affairs 6/10

Has the knack of annoying everyone, including Alliance colleagues. Knows what she wants and is not afraid to say it.