A job for Kerry

Fresh from losing Wellington's mayoral election yesterday, former Mayor Kerry Prendergast could be in line for the role of Governor-General. Or so the Prime Minister hinted today.

This isn't the first time we've heard this rumour. It was circulating even before the local elections. However, I suspect that John Key might be flying a kite on Kerry's appointment as Governor-General. Expect there to be focus groups being asked the question about whether they think Prendergast would make a good representative of the Queen.

She would actually be a bad choice. However, the most obvious problem is that Kerry was once a National Party list candidate (in 1999) and presumably is a member of the National Party. Not that that changes our traditional way of appointing Governors-General. Every New Zealand appointed Governor-General since 1972 has had something to do with the ruling party. The current Governor-General once campaigned for David Lange, so presumably was known within Labour Party circles.

Kerry's appointment would be a neat justification for changing the way we appoint the de facto head of state. Someone who was formerly a candidate for the governing party would probably not be acceptable to the opposition parties. Hence the Prime Minister would have to appoint someone who was seen to be neutral - as the current Governor-General is.

Meanwhile, Dr Pita Sharples wants Justice Eddie Durie as our next Governor-General.