KEY POINTS:
Labour MP David Benson-Pope and independent MP Taito Phillip Field have the ignominy of being Parliament's biggest losers, according to the newssheet TransTasman.
Both earn a big, fat zero in this year's ratings.
Mr Field dragged New Zealand politics into infamy by being the first MP charged with bribery, while Mr Benson-Pope lost his ministerial post after the Madeleine Setchell affair.
TransTasman describes Mr Field as a "silly man".
"Mired in legal strife, still drawing his pay. Shows up now and then and says he'll stand again. Could still embarrass Labour."
Each year TransTasman does a roll call of how our MPs performed.
Prime Minister Helen Clark is its politician of the year.
TransTasman says Miss Clark has kept Labour's hopes of a fourth term alive "even as some of her ministers crashed and burned".
"Without her Labour would be in a shambolic state. She exercises authority which has kept the party under control when it was about to fly apart."
It describes her as a consummate politician but says whether she can negotiate the electoral tightrope in 2008 remains to be seen.
It listed several nominations for the top spot, including Winston Peters for his diplomatic forays, particularly to North Korea, and his parliamentary performance. It describes Mr Peters as a friend of United States US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and gives him a rating of 7.5.
Jeanette Fitzsimons gets a mention for keeping the Green flag flying as other parties rush to become climate change champions.
John Key was credited for lifting National high in the polls, while Cabinet Minister Phil Goff was noted for reviving his claims to become a future Labour leader as Steve Maharey gracefully retired.
Others to get a high rating among Labour's clan were Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen (7.5), Justice Minister Annette King (7.5) and Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove (7).
High scorers in National's ranks included deputy leader Bill English (8), Judith Collins (7.5), Simon Power (7.5), Katherine Rich (7) and the "not so noisy" Shadow Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee (7).
About Mr Key, TransTasman said: "Honeymoon's over, he's getting to grips with real life. Swerved between brilliance and botch-ups. He's National's best option to take on the battle-hardened Clark. Crucial for him to follow his own instincts and take control."
Losers in National's ranks included Brian Connell, whose "disastrous career" was about to end.
One who dropped in the ratings was National's Tony Ryall, from 7.5 last year to 6.5 this year. His year was spoilt by his blunder over removing the cap on doctors' fees. His "funeral director" image did not help, TransTasman said. But he had a high work rate on health.
Losers in Labour's ranks included Consumer Affairs Minister Judith Tizard whose rating of two last year sank to one this year. Ms Tizard, who "detracts rather than contributes", was described as "a real Clark hanger-on".
Te Tai Tonga MP Mahara Okeroa suffered the same fate in the ratings. He was expected to lose his seat to the Maori Party and TransTasman said he did not deserve to come back on the list.
Labour list MP Ashraf Choudhary retained his rating of one: "Went on a parliamentary junket, asked a few patsies. That's about it - again."
The weekly newssheet said Labour longserver George Hawkins should call it quits.
ACT leader Rodney Hide was more focused on being the prima donna. He rules himself out for a nomination for politician of the year by having tried to re-invent himself. "Disappearing like his weight." Rated 3.5, down from four last year.
His offsider Heather Roy got a higher rating (5). The tireless optimist was putting in a solo effort most of the time.
Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples got a higher rating (6) than co-leader Tariana Turia (3.5). TransTasman said Dr Sharples had mana, "seen as the star to unite the nation but totally misread the Urewaras raids". He was calling the shots on the party's future and was likely to keep the party independent of the main parties "but could be a tough call".
Independent MP Gordon Copeland was a figure of fun after serial bloopers after he quit United Future to form a new Christian party. "Survival may require divine intervention. In this PC world, we can't call him a loser." 0.5.
WINNERS
Helen Clark
John Key
Winston Peters
Phil Goff
Jeanette Fitzsimons
Michael Cullen
Annette King
Bill English
Judith Collins
LOSERS
David Benson-Pope
Taito Phillip Field
Tariana Turia
Rodney Hide
Ashraf Choudhary
Gordon Copeland
Judith Tizard
- NZPA
