KEY POINTS:
Here are my ratings of New Zealand's political leaders for 2006:
Helen Clark Rating: 6/10
Not her finest year. Her response to the Auditor-General's report on the pledge card spending was a miscalculation. Her initial attempt to downplay Taito Phillip Field's activities made some wonder if she had lost her touch. But you'd be foolish to write her off winning a fourth term.
Michael Cullen Rating: 9/10.
Still the Master of the House. His budget was boring, as he predicted. But he intends to give us tax cuts to buy the next election. When Cullen goes, so does Labour. John Key Rating: 6/10.
The new golden boy hasn't really done anything apart from inherit Don Brash's job without bloodshed. Key signals a more centrist and pragmatic direction. Accepting Bill English as his deputy leader was a smart move.
Bill English Rating: 9/10.
The guy who led National to its biggest defeat returns with some triumph. He is in a position to dominate finances and policy in a National government. He has re-built his reputation and credibility.
Jeanette Fitzsimons Rating: 6/10.
One of Parliament's real workhorses and the intellectual soul of the Green Party. She is probably the most principled of the party leaders in Parliament. But done out of a Cabinet post, her party remains essentially ineffectual.
Russell Norman Rating: 3/10.
Until he gets into Parliament, he will continue to be invisible. Only the Greens could elect a non-MP as a leader and think it was a strength. However, he is a bright and experienced politico, and should shine once elected.
Tariana Turia Rating: 7/10.
Turia has had a great year. Her party has scarcely put a foot wrong. Don Brash frustrated the Maori strategy of playing National and Labour off each other. Dining with the new National Party leadership opens up all sorts of possibilities. Clark may yet regret her "last cab off the rank" put-down to Turia. She has welded her MPs into a tight disciplined caucus. No splits here.
Pita Sharples Rating: 8/10
His advocacy for the poor and dispossessed is genuine. His turnaround on the 90-day bill and youth wages tipped the balance to workers' advantage. A staunch proponent of raising minimum wages and workers' rights, he is fast becoming one of New Zealand's best political leaders. His intolerance of the shenanigans of the Kahui twins' parents was refreshingly honest.
Winston Peters Rating: 5/10.
An impressive player in Parliament but is never here. The real Foreign Minister is Clark. Peters' job is to have tea with the Americans and Pacific Island despots. It will take more than charm and good nature to get his party back after the next election. I suggest he secure himself the US ambassadorship before the end of this term.
Peter Dunne Rating: 4/10.
He seems obsessed with wrestling minor concessions from Cullen on taxes and crowing about it. I guess when you're on the margins, any attention is gratefully received. He has always paraded United Future as the common-sense party and the class monitor of MPs' behaviour. Yet this year he slipped up a couple of times himself.
Rodney Hide Rating: 4/10.
He had an outstanding win in Epsom. His campaign was a masterful, surgical strike which saved his party. However, since he became a lithe poll dancer, I'm not sure his ideological comrades think the party leader has his priorities right. Hide will have to decide whether or not he wants to reignite the New Right torch or take up yet another pastime. He seems much happier now and has become extremely likeable.
Jim Anderton Rating: 5/10.
The older he gets, the more conservative he seems to become. I've given him a rating of 5/10 for old times' sake.
The winner is:
My pick for the politician of the year is between Cullen and English. But on balance, the nod goes to English.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
