Scribe's got the power

Rapper Scribe has already been tagged as one of New Zealand's biggest music stars, but now he has made it on to a list of the country's most powerful people.

With him are TradeMe founder Sam Morgan, Waitangi Fisheries Commission chairman Shane Jones and, in the top spot, Prime Minister Helen Clark.

The 2004 Power List, revealed today by the Listener, ranks the most powerful Kiwis according to their influence in politics, media, business and culture.

"It's power in a really broad sense," said deputy editor Tim Watkin. "We're looking at the way society is shaped."

The list's top 10 includes TVNZ head Ian Fraser, Telecom chairman Rod Deane, film-maker Peter Jackson and Opposition Leader Don Brash.

And for the rest of the inaugural 50-person list, you'll have to buy the magazine, on sale in Auckland today.

"There are a couple of interesting surprises", including Scribe, said Watkin.

"If [Scribe] says something, the kids listen - and that's a real power. He's changing the vernacular of New Zealand."

One of the youngest people to make the list is 29-year-old Mr Morgan, who helped to set up New Zealand's most popular auction website.

"[I've been] pretty focused on getting TradeMe to be successful but hadn't really considered it from a personal perspective," he said.

Mr Jones makes it to the No 9 spot. Maori make up 20 per cent of the power list, compared with just 14 per cent of the country's population.

And then there's Helen Clark.

"She was comfortably No 1, which is a surprise to nobody," said Mr Watkin.