KEY POINTS:
It's the job many Government ministers hope to avoid but often find themselves volunteering for when Prime Minister Helen Clark's eyes turn their way.
For a month every year, the country is governed from a series of baches, family homes and rural holiday spots as the mantle of Duty Minister is passed around like a hot potato.
Speaking on behalf of the Government does have its perils - as illustrated when Duty Minister Jim Anderton veered away from the official Government position to criticise American President George W. Bush's strategy in Iraq.
But given the vast array of subjects the Duty Minister comments on, it is perhaps surprising that such hiccups don't occur more often.
Mr Anderton spent much of this week fielding media queries on everything from Fiji's interim Government to the Parole Board's practices, from the death of two Hector's dolphins to a radiation therapists' strike.
All the while he was tucked up with family in a holiday spot near Auckland, overlooking an estuary with birds chirping in the background.
"I had a couple of visitors call in and I said, 'You're looking at the Government of New Zealand, it's being operated from here'," Mr Anderton laughed.
The Prime Minister is never far away.
"I had a ring from her at 7.30 this morning," Mr Anderton said on Tuesday.
Helen Clark was checking in to discuss the latest events in Fiji.
"She keeps a watching brief. Of course, I would ring her if something serious happened, straight away," Mr Anderton said.
To illustrate the accessibility of the Prime Minister, Mr Anderton recounts once receiving a call from her as she battled a blizzard on a mountain in South America. "You don't have any trouble contacting her," he said.
The role of Duty Minister rotates between about 10 ministers from late December until the end of January, with each typically taking on the job for three or four days. Usually, it is a senior minister, although one or two juniors can feature.
It is a voluntary role but, late last year, the list of volunteers was a bit short and the Prime Minister turned to her Cabinet.
"The Prime Minister looked around the room and said, 'Who's going to volunteer, we need three more'," Mr Anderton said.
"So you think, 'I better volunteer before I'm volunteered'."
The Duty Minister is not Prime Minister but a spokesperson for the Government and the workload can vary wildly.
This year's festive season has been hectic but probably the busiest in recent times was 2004 when the Boxing Day tsunami struck Asia.
In such times, the Duty Minister is not alone.
Helen Clark then cut short a holiday and Foreign Minister Phil Goff fielded media inquiries, but Mark Burton later came in as Duty Minister and spent much of his time working to get relief supplies to disaster victims.
The job can dominate a minister's time or have no effect at all.
"I have been the Duty Minister and not received one call or one single inquiry - you almost feel as though you've been neglected," Mr Anderton said.
"Here you are in this powerful position, running the country singlehandedly, and no one wants to know."
When a tricky question comes in that is outside the Duty Minister's area of expertise, they seek advice from officials and, often, the relevant minister.
During his time, Mr Anderton has had regular contact with other ministers, the Prime Minister, officials from Accident Compensation, Corrections, Health, Justice, Civil Defence, Fisheries, Agriculture and the Department of Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
Yesterday, he sounded relieved to be handing the baton to Chris Carter.
He just about made it without drawing unnecessary headlines.
"Just about - then someone had to go and announce a new policy on Iraq."
Record of a seven-day tour of duty
A week at the helm - Duty Minister Jim Anderton's diary:
Monday
Find out about Department of Corrections' staff bonuses in response to media query.
Interviews on paroled murderer Graeme Burton, issues surrounding Parole Board, whether Burton will get ACC.
Respond to media question about cost of Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet's annual report.
Multiple media interviews on National Party's view about radiation therapists' employment dispute.
Pass on media query about adoptions to CYF.
Liaise with Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor, ACC Minister Ruth Dyson.
Tuesday
Take 7.30am call from Prime Minister Helen Clark.
Liaise with Civil Defence ministry CEO, conduct media interviews about Civil Defence warning system.
Interviews about role of Mahendra Chaudhry in Fiji's interim Government.
More interviews about Parole Board, radiation therapists' dispute.
Find out about death of two Hector's dolphins, respond to media question.
Answer queries about role of Duty Minister, public response to changes in interest rates.
Wednesday
Live radio interviews about Fijian developments.
More media on Civil Defence warning system.
Sign off immigration matter requiring ministerial decision.
Respond in media to Forest & Bird's statements about set netting.
Thursday
Early morning radio interview about Civil Defence warning system.
Field more inquiries about latest developments in Fiji, radiation therapists' dispute.
Respond to US President George Bush's proposed new Iraq initiative.
Discuss with farming media NZ's reaction to US and Canada dispute about corn subsidies.
Friday
Pass Duty Minister baton to Chris Carter - but still fielding multiple media inquiries about Iraq comments.
