Ardern outlines details of Peters’ six weeks as Acting PM

The Prime Minister releases a letter she sent to Winston Peters detailing the responsibilities he will have as Acting PM when she is on maternity leave starting next month

14th May 18, 5:13pm by Jason Walls

The Prime Minister has outlined details of the working arrangement between herself and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters while she is on maternity leave.

In a letter to Peters, made public this afternoon, Jacinda Ardern confirmed that it is her intention to take six weeks of absence from next month.

During which time, Peters will take over as Acting Prime Minister.

The pair addressed media at her weekly post-cabinet press conference on Monday afternoon, given the “public interest” of what will be happening over this period.

“As Acting Prime Minister, you will exercise the functions and powers of the Prime Minister, in consultation with me where appropriate, particularly where matters of significant political, strategic or public interest, or national security arise,” Ardern said in the letter.

She says she will continue to receive Cabinet and Cabinet committee papers while she is on maternity leave and will be consulted on “significant matters.”

When pressed for details on what this would constitute, Ardern says that would “instinctively” be well known to both her and Peters, as they already operate on that basis.

She says she and Peters drafted the letter together.

Peters will manage the “day-to-day” business of the Government, which includes chairing committees usually chaired by the Prime Minister, overseeing the Government’s policy programme and answering questions in the House.

He will also fill in for Ardern at her weekly post-Cabinet Press conference on Mondays.

Ardern says the situation is no different from any other time the Prime Minister is away and the Deputy Prime Minister fills in.

But, given the significant interest – and the fact it is for a “slightly longer period” than has previously been the case, she chose to outline the details of the arrangement in the letter.

If Peters has to leave the country, Labour deputy leader Kelvin Davis will take over as Acting Prime Minister, as was the case when both Ardern and Peters were in Vietnam late last year.

But it is unlikely Peters will be doing any overseas travel during that time, Ardern says.

“At the time, I sat down with the deputy Prime Minister and advised him of my news, I did ask him if he had any travel plans for that six-week period and his response was ‘well, I don’t now.’”

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78 Comments

by tothepoint - d… | 14th May 18, 5:32pm 1526275964

I think Jacinda is being a bit tough...... poor old Winnie won't like having to give up his overseas trips.

TTP

by Boatman | 15th May 18, 8:43am 1526330606

The honeymoon is over , Like the note on the fridge , Winston has been told to keep the house in order , ensure the kids go to bed on time , do the laundry while she is away and put out the trash , no wild parties and no reckless behaviour

by Nzdan | 14th May 18, 5:37pm 1526276225

So we go from a Prime Minister who gets herself knocked up before her first term, to an acting Prime Minister who doesn’t know if he feels like turning up to work every day for 6 weeks.

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 4:39am 1526315944

Could be worse you could have Trump instead of Winston
I’m so proud of my country of birth electing a pregnant young woman and making her PM
This should be aired far & wide around the world for it is in my opinion anyway commendable
If only other aspects of NZ could achieve the same enlightenment
Well Done New Zealand

by KH | 15th May 18, 11:09am 1526339389

@ Northern Lights. "Well done NZ". Really ? I'm sure Clarke and Cindy managed this feat themselves.

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 3:27pm 1526354877

Takes votes to win a place under the shell game that’s MMP
Well Done NZ

by Yvil | 15th May 18, 11:12am 1526339535

Actually the country didn't elect Ardern and make her PM, Peters did and I'm not sure he knew she was pregnant back then

by Ocelot | 15th May 18, 12:46pm 1526345197

The majority of the population voted for this government, that's how democracy works. Anyone who voted for Greens or NZFirst knew that if they were going to be in government they would be lead by Ardern.

Winston campaigned on changing the government, it was pretty clear that's what voting for NZFirst meant.

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 3:29pm 1526354980

A fine choice by Winston too
Imagine another 3 years with Nat nil
Sad

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 4:48am 1526316521

Winston will now be acting PM too
That’s something he deserves but never really wanted
He’s a short race thoroughbred so 6 weeks will do just fine

by tothepoint - d… | 14th May 18, 6:53pm 1526280796

Hi Nzdan,

Give Winnie a break for goodness stake. He's over 70 years old!

At that age, how many people want to work full-time?!

In any case, Winnie's only used to working during election campaigns.

TTP

by Foxglove. | 14th May 18, 6:50pm 1526280630

What’s happening with the knighthoods? Does anybody know? Is Labour going to scrap them again? Hope so but longest serving MP and the rest, WP must be over qualified by now. National should have dangled that carrot. Might have changed his decision.

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 4:50am 1526316603

TTP
How’d the date go with MTP ?

by Rex Pat | 14th May 18, 5:51pm 1526277098

The bit that surprises me is that apparently Winnie likes to be respected, yet he is perhaps the least respected politician I can think of. When he croaks I’ll open a bottle of whiskey and toast good riddance to him.

by RickStrauss | 14th May 18, 10:13pm 1526292798

I really doubt that's true in a world of Nick Smith, Aaron Gilmore, Todd Barclay and Donald Trump.

by Tim Depositor | 14th May 18, 11:00pm 1526295654

The guys a champ! Leadership plus.

by Gummy Bear Hero | 14th May 18, 11:11pm 1526296273

... when he passes on I'll open a bottle of a good single malt whisky , and toast one of the enduring legends of our political scene ...

And the one pollie who has done more to support the senior citizens cause than all the other pollies put together ...

...but , we may be waiting a long while for that dram .... 'cos , if his Mum is anything to go by , Winston has another 20 years or more in him ....

by RickStrauss | 15th May 18, 8:32am 1526329938

Just to put the heebie-jeebies into Rex Pat, the newly elected Prime Minister of Malaysia is 92 years old. Winston could have another comeback or two left in him. By that time Rex Pat will be grateful for the extra social benefit baubles Winson throws his way...gold card converted to platinum card etc.

by Rex Pat | 15th May 18, 10:23am 1526336612

He could well live that long, but the grim reaper will be collecting his voting base on a regular basis, if there is any left after being judged along with the COL. My parents vote for him to stick it to political parties that have done them wrong, he’s the protest vote.

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 3:33pm 1526355201

Love Malaysia Rick
Preferable to Singalongpore

by Brock Landers | 14th May 18, 7:16pm 1526282194

I might open a lemonade stand with all the bitterness already pouring out in this thread.

The same old moaners still packing a sad that their team had no friends.

That's what happens when you're a d*ck to everyone. Something to mull over.

by theglc | 14th May 18, 8:23pm 1526286218

hehe ... The coalition of sore losers are still crying

by Nzdan | 15th May 18, 7:17am 1526325438

If your comment is loosely directed towards mine, for the record I voted labour. I just cringe at the idea of someone who takes the role as Prime Minister and then goes to have a baby within the first year. But that that’s just my opinion, babies are funny creatures (ive got a 1 year old).

by frazz | 15th May 18, 11:00am 1526338841

Nzdan..get over your cringe, you wont even notice - it takes more than the PM to run a country. So what you are saying is that PM can never have children? Does that apply to males as well?

by rastus1 | 15th May 18, 12:15pm 1526343350

....so when a wifey gets preggy and has a kid they go on holiday?

I'd say runniing a country is hard but runnng all other mattesrs are taken care of - especially with plenty of $ a house hubby and servants. Working, running a household and raising several kids while being broke would be harder. And plenty of women do this very well.

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 3:41pm 1526355710

NZdan that’s the point Jacinda can be a pregnant young woman and by virtue of the great MMP system become PM
It’s the NZ political equivalent of The Great Leap Forward
Well Done NZ

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 3:35pm 1526355348

You know it’s a NZ blog when the mention of Lemonade gains more Likes than Whiskey
Good night down there Zzzz

by Davo36 | 14th May 18, 7:19pm 1526282398

This is what people who have never had a baby think. They think, sure in 6 weeks I'll be right. Others will help, surely it's a doddle right? Heaps of people have 'em.

Then you have one and think "How the f**k does anyone do this????"

by Hamish | 15th May 18, 7:34am 1526326454

I used to appreciate the sympathetic/supportive comments of 'oh the first few weeks/3 months/6 months etc are the hardest' After a while my response was you don't need to lie to us anymore. The kid is here now. We ain't sending it back.

by Rex Pat | 15th May 18, 7:58am 1526327917

I like that. When my wife had her second baby she was not going to be rushed out of hospital with a free bag of nappies. She told them she will go when she is ready, as she knew what she was in for. Taxinda is unwittingly foisting herself on the feminist maternal martyrdom pedastal. If you look at how much respect ex PMs get (none) then at some stage she will look back and go wtf was I thinking.

by nymad | 15th May 18, 9:19am 1526332799

I love this.
"Taxinda this, Taxinda that."

Then...When it comes down to it, socialised services are great.
Might as well have said "I'm fine with excessive use of public resources, so long as it is only me that does it."

Get a grip. You're as big of a hypocrite as they come.

by Rex Pat | 15th May 18, 10:17am 1526336231

How big is your sample? Is is statistically significant?

Having just paid tax on my redundancy payout equivalent to two years salary, I know exactly how much I’ve been forced to pay to keep the trough filled up for the lefties to pass out to bribe every man, woman and their dogs. I’ll take every dollar of that I can get back. Working for families will be due to me from 1 April next year. It will be nice to receive rather than give to Taxinda and the COL.

by nymad | 15th May 18, 10:24am 1526336680

"How big is your sample? Is is statistically significant?"
huh?
A sample isn't ever considered statistically significant. It's results that are.

"Working for families will be due to me from 1 April next year. It will be nice to receive rather than give to Taxinda and the COL."

See, my point again.
"Taxes are the devil. But don't you dare touch my transfer entitlements."
You are just as much a part of the problem.

by Independent_Observer | 15th May 18, 10:26am 1526336785

So you're going to be part of the 'problem' instead of part the solution? i.e. if you want to label something some 'thing', then decide you're going to be it yourself, what does that make you?

by steven | 15th May 18, 11:41am 1526341264

Ironic really, the only reason you have a redundancy payout at all is because of "lefties" like unions and political parties like Labour.

"it will be nice" about sums you up really. Personally I thank my lucky stars I dont need Govn help as I am doing well enough.

by Ex Expat | 15th May 18, 5:45pm 1526363158

Haven't been a union member since 1980. Even then I only joined because I was forced to by the Public Service Boss. I lasted 10 months in that job and have never been a member since. Given I've been salaried since then, and can afford to live in 1071 I'd say that's a black mark for unionism.

by RickStrauss | 16th May 18, 9:04am 1526418279

None of that changes the history of labour reform though and its role in creating a better middle class working experience for all of us. Wee luxuries like 8-hour days (nominally), paid leave etc. were all hard fought for.

These things swing back and forth over time...At the moment we're seeing the folk in the USA bearing the brunt of a swing too far back the other way. Fire at will laws, zero hour contracts, emaciated lower-middle class wages. National deserves credit for banning zero hour contracts in their last term before they infected NZ.

(Heck, we even forget in the discussion of labour shortages in orchards that the job used to pay significantly more in real dollars in the past than it does now. I read somewhere recently that a rate equivalent to the 1980s would be around $25 per hour today.)

by Ex Expat | 16th May 18, 9:25am 1526419533

You are talking history, I'm talking about the last 38 years of my working life where I haven't needed a union to end up with good working conditions. Even in my last couple of years my employer was offering items unprompted. When the time came to be paid out, I thanked them. It was never an adversarial relationship, which is what I see with Unions. "Workers of the World unite" is not my mantra. I prefer "do unto others as you would have them do to you" and my employer did that until the revenue didn't support my employment. If the orchards are short of pickers then they need to pay up or go out of business. That's the free market. I have no sympathy for them.

by RickStrauss | 16th May 18, 9:39am 1526420345

Yes, we have to be aware of history. Otherwise we're easily indoctrinated to simplistically view unions as some sort of nasty evil when the reality is that society swings back and forth between companies having too much power and unions having too much power.

You and I enjoy benefits and norms that were the result of previous generations' work. We can't suppose the last 38 years exists in isolation, completely unaffected by what came before it. Like some sort of social instantaneous existence theory.

If we don't learn from history we're doomed to repeat it.

by Ex Expat | 16th May 18, 9:54am 1526421292

True, but if unionism is voluntary then it has to work for and justify its existence. I never saw a reason for me to join one and I still don't. Others may have different views and that's fine, just don't make it compulsory again so I have to pay for something I see no personal value in.

by RickStrauss | 16th May 18, 10:28am 1526423330

I've never needed to be part of one either, because they succeeded in earlier efforts. Though as in the example of USA, things don't stay static but swing back the other way where they can. Companies exist for one reason only: to make money for their shareholders. You can't expect moral behaviour from an amoral entity. Unions are necessary where things swing too far back the other way or societal norms or laws start to allow exploitation.

Arguably hospitality might be an area that could benefit from stronger unionisation in New Zealand, given the amount of exploitation we're seeing in it currently (especially of foreign student workers).

by Yankiwi | 16th May 18, 11:03am 1526425391

One could make the same argument for unions as companies in, that they exist only for the profit of their members.

In my 40 plus years wotking, i've seen far more amoral behavior from unions than companies. And yes, I was an involuntary union member for most of my career.

Numerous states in US are essentially bankrupt due to the strong negotiation power of public unions, as the pension liability has become wildly outsized, and far beyond the income capability of the local government.

by RickStrauss | 16th May 18, 11:16am 1526426189

I think we're still on the balance thing, aren't we? Because getting better treatment of workers was pretty critical to creating a middle class in the first place. Of course there needs to be a balance. And large pension loads are a generational burden not only common to unions. We're facing the same in NZ - over 50% of our social welfare benefits are paid to older folk regardless of need.

Note, I used amoral to refer to companies, not immoral. I.e. companies only have one purpose, to earn money, so we can't expect moral behaviours from them. As opposed to immoral, where they're very naughty actors, always.

But if we're talking immoral, did this 40-plus years span such the collapse of a bunch of finance companies, for example?

by Yankiwi | 16th May 18, 10:01am 1526421696

Agreed about the swings between corporate and union power.

I kinda had my first exposure to union standards as a new hourly employee on the assembly line. In the first week of work, the local shop union steward came up to me and stated that I needed to stop working so quickly. Ummm, wot? Over the next couple of weeks I got increasing pressure from the union steward to reduce my productivity. It was at that point that I realized that I was pursuing the wrong type of work and sent in my uni application, which started me on my career as an engineer. I've seen some good come from unions, and far more bad from unions. Employees certainly need protection from some company actions. Companies also need protection from many union actions. The idea that I need two union people to pick up a box, when I should be able to do it myself, well, if you want a reason for poor productivity one wouldn't be amiss by critically towards union rules and actions.

by RickStrauss | 16th May 18, 10:30am 1526423409

Agree, balance of power is needed and a difficult equilibrium to maintain. Either side being exploitative of the other is a strongly negative result.

by RickStrauss | 15th May 18, 5:30pm 1526362208

Just recalling your statement recently that you decided not to return to Singapore because you didn't want to pay for your children's schooling. Not having socialism helping you out was going to be expensive, apparently.

In the choice between capitalism and socialism, socialism won.

by Ex Expat | 15th May 18, 5:36pm 1526362587

Singapore was $30,000 per annum per child for International schools and hard to find a place. Considering I hadn't contributed to their tax trough I didn't consider local schools there, not that my children would survive in their regimented school culture anyway. I've put enough tax in my redundancy payment to school locally in NZ with no qualms.

by RickStrauss | 15th May 18, 5:45pm 1526363121

Yeah, capitalism is hardcore. Higher salaries and lower taxes but gotta pay your own way.

by Ex Expat | 15th May 18, 5:51pm 1526363503

That's expat pricing. HK is worse as the housing cost is the real tax there. There is no nirvana out there, but without a doubt the expat life is good until you reach a point where a walk and a coffee on Kohi beach means more than yet another ski trip to Japan.

by steven | 15th May 18, 11:37am 1526341056

use of 'taxinda" really tells me how far you are out on the right wing extreme.........

by Ex Expat | 15th May 18, 5:42pm 1526362959

Using a moniker like 'Taxinda' or 'Duhcinda' is hardly extreme right wing, or are you about to invoke Godwin's law because we're not all acolytes?

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 3:45pm 1526355920

Gee RexPat
What decade did you wife give birth ?
For decades NZs hospitals have been kicking out women who’ve given birth as fast as they can
I speak from experience as chauffeur

by Ex Expat | 15th May 18, 5:39pm 1526362791

90's and 00's. The hospital gave her 5 days for the last one as she encountered a few problems. If the mother isn't ready to go she's not ready.

by swapacrate | 14th May 18, 7:48pm 1526284116

Immigration down to 20,000 here's your chance

by Brock Landers | 14th May 18, 8:02pm 1526284930

Better yet zero. One out, one in.

by swapacrate | 14th May 18, 8:32pm 1526286720

Like your style.

by Lapun | 14th May 18, 9:48pm 1526291285

20,000 is still a big number; plenty of schools, houses, new roads, extra teachers and doctors needed. 20,000 just puts us among the other OECD countries rather than leading the pack. I wonder why other countries don't try our immigration policy? But compared to today I'd be content with 20,000 so long as all are high paid.

by swapacrate | 14th May 18, 8:31pm 1526286697

by Gummy Bear Hero | 14th May 18, 11:03pm 1526295785

... does Winnie have to change nappies ?

No ... not of PM Jacinda's bubba ....

... of all those big fat Gnat babies still bleating and pooping their pants that they actually won the election .... go on a worldwide speaking tour guys , hook up with that other " winner still blubbing " Hillary Clinton ....

by Boatman | 15th May 18, 8:48am 1526330884

I honestly wonder if this pregnancy was planned ?

If not , then it really shows poor planning ability on her part , and that raises all sorts of questions about her suitability as PM

by rastus1 | 15th May 18, 9:06am 1526331964

..Yikes. Worst comment of the day nomination. You become unsuitable because you breed?

by nymad | 15th May 18, 9:22am 1526332969

If so, Boatman is the perfect example of unsuitable breeding stock.

by Independent_Observer | 15th May 18, 9:16am 1526332565

Don't you recall that she didn't want to be PM - she might have known around the time that Andrew Little was standing down as Labour leader perhaps.....what would you do if you were in her shoes? (especially if you knew what the polls were indicating?) Would have been a rather difficult choice for her to make - I'm sure.

by Boatman | 15th May 18, 10:53am 1526338433

So why was she not honest and upfront with the NZ Public if she was pregnant and knew it ?

Further showing her unsuitability as PM

by KH | 15th May 18, 11:01am 1526338862

Boatman. I didn't vote for Ardern and never will. But it's fine with me if somebody has a baby in office. And they can tell us about it if and when they please.

by Boatman | 15th May 18, 11:09am 1526339379

I have absolutely no problem with people having babies , we had three of them , but the way in which this thing unfolded leaves a sour taste .

She would have received way more support and sympathy if she had been honest with us .

That's my view , and all the comments by people who disagree with me will not change my view

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 3:48pm 1526356109

Boatman serious ?
Politicians are like lawyers
Concealing is par for the course
Jacinda is eminently superior talent as a politician and deserves to be PM
Do you think Winston with all his knowledge would choose unwisely ?

by Bobster | 15th May 18, 9:42am 1526334150

Really? The status of her ovaries are none of your business You are a schmuck. Get off the site.

by Boatman | 15th May 18, 11:00am 1526338816

I dont care less about the state of her ovaries , but I do care about my country .

If she knew and was not honest with us , then she is dishonest and and deceitful and cannot be trusted to run the country plain and simple .

We cannot have deceitful person as leader of our country, and no can any country afford this ............. just look at Donald Trump

by frazz | 15th May 18, 11:03am 1526339005

John Key springs to mind...

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 3:51pm 1526356263

Frazzled
So very true
Was it not Key who proclaimed once “ No New Taxes” then burdened NZers with another tax on fuel ?
Why YES he did

by Bobster | 15th May 18, 11:52am 1526341935

No, you are are sad old man. There is no longer a pregnancy test permitted as part of a job application nowadays. Her family planning arrangements are none of our business. Your attitude stinks. Get out of the gutter.

by KH | 15th May 18, 11:04am 1526339070

Winston. Has been very well behaved since the election and he got a real job. He has risen to the occasion. Probably will do quite well as acting PM.
But we also know he has had to be sacked before. However the likelihood is he will keep it together this time.

by rastus1 | 15th May 18, 11:35am 1526340903

I expect winne will be do very well. One reason (of many) being Jacinda is not a threat to him, he is not a threat to her. She's just starting, he's near the end. No one upsmanship between them required.

by Double-GZ | 15th May 18, 12:14pm 1526343269

It doesn't matter who the PM is. Give Winnie a break....who would have guessed Marama Fox can own the ballroom dance floor?

by Boatman | 15th May 18, 2:14pm 1526350460

The Northcote by-election is going to be a litmus test as to what the voting public thin of this shambolic administration

by NorthernLights | 15th May 18, 3:52pm 1526356334

Go to sleep Boatman old man
I am
Good night

by Solidname | 15th May 18, 4:35pm 1526358954

Not entirely sure that it will, it's been blue for almost 20 years, I'd be staggered if it went red, particularly based on the new make up of the shore. If Labour reduce the winning percentage I'd put that down as a spectacular result.