Calling Jacinda Ardern a 'part-time PM' was the most direct attack Simon Bridges has mounted so far, writes Claire Trevett. Photo / File
As we say goodbye to 2019 and welcome in 2020, it's a good time to catch up on the very best of the Herald columnists we enjoyed reading over the last 12 months. From politics to sport, from business to entertainment and lifestyle, these are the voices and views our
audience loved the most. Today it's the top five from senior politics writer Claire Trevett.
Ardern's response to mosque terror is a powerful diplomatic tool
The Prime Minister was praised internationally for her response to the Christchurch mosque terror attack - which also turned out to be a powerful diplomatic tool. After she announced there would be gun law reforms within 24 hours of the mosque attacks, someone in the US tweeted sardonically "did they even TRY thoughts and prayers first?" But her handling to the situation showed thoughts and prayers could indeed go a long way.
Simon Bridges' 'part-time PM' jibe about Jacinda Ardern a lesson all round
In August, Simon Bridges was emboldened by one-point rise to 6 per cent as preferred Prime Minister, and National's two-point advantage over Labour. As Jacinda Ardern had slipped in the ratings as preferred PM, he took this as an opportunity to attack - dubbing her a "part-time Prime Minister", for visiting Tokelau for five days rather than staying to tend to issues such as Ihumātao and protests over Oranga Tamariki.