Halfway down ‘Dickhead' Road
When was the last time you really, truly respected one of our politicians? Looked up to one, even?
Don't spend too long mulling over your answer. If it hasn't come to mind within a few seconds, then that probably tells you all you need to know.
The times have changed, of course, since such prominent leaders as National's Keith Holyoake and John Marshall ("Gentleman Jack") and Labour's Bill Rowling strode the New Zealand political stage, emanating careful concern, politeness and a genuine desire to treat others graciously and with dignity.
Today we might be tempted to call them stuffy or pompous, prim and proper. But one thing they weren't, at least in public, was nasty or loud-mouthed.
The rise in nastiness and adoption of rabble-rousing techniques came in with the arrival of the doughty, confrontational Robert Muldoon as prime minister in the mid-1970s.
It would be far from truthful to say every politician since has exhibited such truculence, as plenty during the decades since have continued to be trustworthy and garner public respect.
However, Mr Muldoon certainly opened the door to a new spiteful and pugnacious style of politicking.
Leader of the House is one of the most senior and important roles in Parliament. The minister bestowed with that title at the behest of the prime minister has to manage the passage of government business through the House and takes primary responsibility for the programme of making new laws.
The holder of these tasks is expected, one might think, to display maturity and gravitas. That person should lead by example, and be worthy of being ranked in the government's top three or four ministers.
Hutt South MP Chris Bishop has been Leader of the House since November 2023 and also holds several large portfolios, including transport and housing. He has been a colourful and somewhat controversial minister since first being elected as a list MP in 2014.
As affable as Mr Bishop is, he has also shown he is unafraid of speaking out bluntly on issues he views as too left-wing or woke.
Leader of the House Chris Bishop. Photo: ODT files
Fast forward to last Thursday evening's Aotearoa Music Awards in Auckland and an episode which was caught on video. Seemingly irritated by a performance by singer Stan Walker which featured Toitū Te Tiriti banners and others waving tino rangatiratanga flags, Mr Bishop uttered "what a load of crap".
Kiwi musician Don McGlashan decided to take Mr Bishop to task for his outburst, although he said after he did not realise at first who he was.
"I could hear an enormous amount of ranting, kind of against the whole thing. I didn't get the full gist of it, but it was basically — 'the hīkoi is ages ago, sit down everybody'," Mr McGlashan told RNZ.
"Shut up, you dickhead," Mr McGlashan said and then repeated when Mr Bishop replied, "What did you say to me?". By then, he recognised who Mr Bishop was.
In the subsequent reporting imbroglio, Mr Bishop admitted his comments were poorly judged and "on reflection, I should have kept my thoughts to myself".
But he denied claims he had remarked specifically on the hikoi and presented the red herring that the response was a "political smear job". He subsequently declined to apologise to Walker.
Unsurprisingly, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon does not want a bar of it.
Also unsurprisingly, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has backed Mr Bishop, saying a senior minister should not stop having opinions and that "it may be that people will agree with him".
Yes indeed, Mr Bishop, you should have kept your thoughts to yourself. This occasion was neither the time nor the place for such conduct, especially not for someone of such seniority.
Even in this more casual world, we expect our ministers to behave less like larrikins and more like role models.
If Mr Bishop is struggling to think of some recent examples of humility, civility and quiet determination in the House, how about Sir Geoffrey Palmer, Sir Don "McKinnon, Sir Pita Sharples, Nikki Kaye, Dame Jacinda Ardern, Doug Woolerton, Jeanette Fitzsimons?
Is it too much to ask for politicians we can respect again?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Scoop
Destiny Church Protesters Set Flags On Fire In Auckland Rally
Article – RNZ Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has denounced today's Destiny Church protest in downtown Auckland. Hundreds have marched from Aotea Square down Queen Street, in what the church billed as a rally 'in defence of faith, flag and family'. Destiny Church said the march was to take 'a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation'. Church leader Brian Tamaki claimed 'uncontrolled immigration' in the United Kingdom had led to spikes in crime and a collapse in British identity. Tamaki said the church was building a 'Commonwealth crusade' to 'reclaim Christian nations'. At one point, flags – which an RNZ reporter said appeared to include rainbow flags and flags representing mainstream media – were set alight. Seymour said the church leader's messaging was 'un-Kiwi'. 'What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome,' he said. 'Brian Tamaki's various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they're un-Kiwi attitudes because they're intolerant and uninclusive.' 'What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander's right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his.' Ahead of the march, Tamaki said church leaders had sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for a reversal on a position that the country has no official religion. He said one demand included enforcing a policy of 'no immigration without assimilation' – a phrase also chanted during the protest march. The acting prime minister said Destiny Church was free to criticise the government. 'Christianity has given a lot to New Zealand but some New Zealanders find faith in other teachings, and so long as they are committed to tolerance for all, then that's not a problem,' he said. 'I just want all New Zealanders to know, that if they come here in good faith to build a better society with tolerance of others then they are welcome here. 'And Brian Tamaki certainly has no right to tell you otherwise.' Fire and Emergency crews were called to the march after flags were set on fire. However rally goers then put the flames out with water and the arriving firefighters then left without taking action. Police were stationed at the protest, but said they did not make any arrests. The Destiny marchers were met by counterprotesters – an RNZ reporter said there were about 100 present at one stage – who were waving tino rangatiratanga flags and Palestine flags.
Scoop
8 hours ago
- Scoop
Destiny Church Protesters Set Flags On Fire In Auckland Rally
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has denounced today's Destiny Church protest in downtown Auckland. Hundreds have marched from Aotea Square down Queen Street, in what the church billed as a rally "in defence of faith, flag and family". Destiny Church said the march was to take "a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation". Church leader Brian Tamaki claimed "uncontrolled immigration" in the United Kingdom had led to spikes in crime and a collapse in British identity. Tamaki said the church was building a "Commonwealth crusade" to "reclaim Christian nations". At one point, flags - which an RNZ reporter said appeared to include rainbow flags and flags representing mainstream media - were set alight. Seymour said the church leader's messaging was "un-Kiwi". "What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome," he said. "Brian Tamaki's various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they're un-Kiwi attitudes because they're intolerant and uninclusive." "What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander's right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his." Ahead of the march, Tamaki said church leaders had sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for a reversal on a position that the country has no official religion. He said one demand included enforcing a policy of "no immigration without assimilation" - a phrase also chanted during the protest march. The acting prime minister said Destiny Church was free to criticise the government. "Christianity has given a lot to New Zealand but some New Zealanders find faith in other teachings, and so long as they are committed to tolerance for all, then that's not a problem," he said. "I just want all New Zealanders to know, that if they come here in good faith to build a better society with tolerance of others then they are welcome here. "And Brian Tamaki certainly has no right to tell you otherwise." Fire and Emergency crews were called to the march after flags were set on fire. However rally goers then put the flames out with water and the arriving firefighters then left without taking action. Police were stationed at the protest, but said they did not make any arrests. The Destiny marchers were met by counterprotesters - an RNZ reporter said there were about 100 present at one stage - who were waving tino rangatiratanga flags and Palestine flags.
1News
8 hours ago
- 1News
Seymour denounces Destiny Church protest demands as 'un-Kiwi'
Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has denounced today's Destiny Church protest in downtown Auckland. Hundreds have marched from Aotea Square down Queen St, in what the church billed as a rally "in defence of faith, flag and family". Destiny Church said the march was to take "a bold public stand for Christian values, Kiwi identity and the future of this nation". Church leader Brian Tamaki claimed "uncontrolled immigration" in the United Kingdom had led to spikes in crime and a collapse in British identity. Tamaki said the church was building a "Commonwealth crusade" to "reclaim Christian nations". ADVERTISEMENT Watch the Destiny Church protesters march through downtown Auckland on TVNZ+ At one point, flags – which an RNZ reporter said appeared to include rainbow flags and flags representing mainstream media – were set alight. Seymour said the church leader's messaging was "un-Kiwi". "What it means to be Kiwi is people come from all over the world, and so long as they come peacefully to build a better world, then they're welcome," he said. "Brian Tamaki's various attitudes have all sorts of problems, but at their heart they're un-Kiwi attitudes because they're intolerant and uninclusive. "What I take issue with is his attacks on other New Zealander's right to practice their faith just as he has a right to practice his." Protesters and counter-protesters at a Destiny Church rally in Auckland, 21 June 2025. (Source: ADVERTISEMENT Ahead of the march, Tamaki said church leaders had sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calling for a reversal on a position that the country has no official religion. He said one demand included enforcing a policy of "no immigration without assimilation" – a phrase also chanted during the protest march. The acting prime minister said Destiny Church was free to criticise the Government. "Christianity has given a lot to New Zealand but some New Zealanders find faith in other teachings, and so long as they are committed to tolerance for all, then that's not a problem," he said. "I just want all New Zealanders to know, that if they come here in good faith to build a better society with tolerance of others then they are welcome here. "And Brian Tamaki certainly has no right to tell you otherwise." Protesters at a Destiny Church rally in Auckland, 21 June 2025 (Source: ADVERTISEMENT Fire and Emergency crews were called to the march after flags were set on fire. However rally goers then put the flames out with water and the arriving firefighters then left without taking action. Police were stationed at the protest, but said they did not make any arrests. The Destiny marchers were met by counterprotesters – an RNZ reporter said there were about 100 present at one stage – who were waving tino rangatiratanga flags and Palestine flags.
