NZ Herald: National Party MP Nikki Kaye quits politics
The National Party is set to be rocked by another high-profile resignation today with former deputy leader and Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye expected to announce her departure from politics.
She stood down as deputy when the caucus held an emergency meeting to elect Judith Collins to replace Todd Muller as leader.
A National Party spokesperson said this morning: “Judith Collins won’t be commenting until the reshuffle announcement at 10.30am.”
“Nikki will make her own announcements when she is ready,” said Brownlee, the man who replaced Kaye as deputy leader.
It is understood several people have tried to dissuade Kaye from quitting or at least to put more distance between the decision and the events of the past 10 days but she is adamant.
It is understood she is disappointed by the Todd Muller sudden resignation.
She has come in for some criticism over the handling of the Covid patient privacy breach scandal, which led to the imminent resignation of first-term MP Hamish Walker from politics at the election and which appeared to place intolerable strain on Muller.
Presuming this is correct this is another significant blow for National. It’s not unusual for MPs to reassess their political careers after leadership changes, especially ex leaders. But this will not help National’s re-election chances, and is an immediate challenge to Judith Collins’ leadership.
At least quitting now means that Collins should only have to reshuffle her lineup once, unless there are more shock withdrawals later.
Kaye has held the Auckland Central electorate since becoming an MP in 2008, twice defeating Jacinda Ardern. But if she doesn’t stand there the attempt by Green MP Chloe Swarbrick to take the electorate becomes more interesting.
Losing another experienced MP will be a blow to National, but they will still go onto the election with a lot more MPs with Cabinet experience than Labour had last election. However the perception of a disintegrating party will be difficult to combat.
But wait, there’s more.
Adams had already announced she would quit, changed her mind when Muller took over but seems to have changed her mind again. With that level of commitment to the cause the party is better off without her.
Kay and Adams will be big losses, they have been two of National’s more capable performers in the past.
Your NZ 
Pete George
/ 16th July 2020Alan Wilkinson
/ 16th July 2020Frankly, those responsible for picking Muller and Simon before him should go. Two terrible decisions followed by stuffing up the Boag/Walker fiasco.
duperez
/ 16th July 2020In mathematical terms how many would that leave? Clearly most at some time preferred Bridges, he got a majority. Same with Muller. Regardless of a few like Kaye and Adams going there will be a significant number in caucus who preferred Muller and Bridges.
It was often said that Collins was not the most popular person in caucus. I wonder how many hard core, long term supporters she has there and for how many she is the ‘marriage of convenience.’
Alan Wilkinson
/ 16th July 2020You have to think.the previous two leaders were pushed in by an Anyone But Collins faction and suspect that Kaye/Adams were a large part of that.
Probably a large proportion of their supporters have now seen the electoral light and consequences of that misjudgment. It is right they have gone and Collins has the opportunity to pick her own team and take her chances.
Kimbo
/ 16th July 2020Agree, Alan.
Both Adams and Kaye were effective MPs and capable “middle” Ministers in a cabinet and caucus with wiser heads were making the big strategic calls, but they stepped beyond their competence levels with the Miller coup.
Is a real difference with National compared to Labour. Despite their previous good achievements- and Hamish Walker as a local MP for that matter, if you stuff up big time you go.
In contrast, and as Labour MPs and cabinet ministers seldom have good employment prospects to keep the lifestyle in which they are accustomed, they hang on for dear life. That David Clark and Phil Twyford can live with the personal shame of their failure and still carry on drawing their salary speaks volumes about them, their party and its dearth of talent.
And shame on National for being even more incompetent in the two months before Collins’ instalment as leader.
Pythagoras
/ 16th July 2020Rats leaving a sinking ship.
Good news for David Seymour.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 16th July 2020Collins takeover was bad news for ACT. Is there really a voting block that would move because Adams/Kaye go?
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020I think not.
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020Looks like Boag & Walker caused carnage. Wonder if that’s the end of it or if there are yet more to come? So much for a united caucus.
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020Herald banner headline says Amy Adams says she quit after Collins offered her a role she wasn’t interested in.
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020Following Collins’ press conference to announce her new line-up, the Herald now – instead – reports that Amy Adams says she quit after the Covid-19 Recovery portfolio – getting which was the reason she was persuaded to return to politics by Muller – was taken off her.
Never believe a banner headline. They might be a bit loose with the facts. 😀
lurcher1948
/ 16th July 2020Amy Adams is deserting the sinking ship to,could they all dislike Collins??? the taste of dead rats,maybe.
Corky
/ 16th July 2020That analogy has been used too often for National and has been proven wrong. Talking of sinking ships, somebody needs to remind Labour to tighten the hatches and tie Jacinda to the helm. There’s some real rough weather ahead. Pass that on will you, Lurchy.
lurcher1948
/ 16th July 2020Jacinda’s being PM for 3 years,Muller folded in no time at all, Jacinda is one tough lady,Corky
Corky
/ 16th July 2020There’s no doubt Jacinda won’t lie down for Judith, The problem is, if we use a house as an analogy, not only is the weather cladding rotten, so is the frame work. One big push from National and that house is falling down. In fact in may fall down on its own accord during the coming political storm. You are reading too much into what is simply a change of National Party personnel. Factions? Hell, no…. not if they want to keep their lush remuneration. The real world at present isn’t a great payer.
duperez
/ 16th July 2020So you’re saying National is suffering leaky party syndrome?
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020Some people assume that politicians are in it for the money. In fact, if the pay is divided by the hours many put in, it’s not that great.
Of all the ones I have known, only one was earning considerably more than she was before, and most were earning less.
The old saying about how being an MP means a pay rise for a Labour one and a pay cut for a National one probably still applies to some extent.
Corky
/ 16th July 2020Very good. Given the hard times ahead for you, I’m giving you a free pass.
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020A free pass to what ?
You don’t know me, so don’t know if the times ahead will be hard or not. Don’t be patronising.
Corky
/ 16th July 2020From my perspective, no big losses here. Nikki doesn’t have the Tory vibe. She comes across as insipid and weak. Amy has nothing more to offer National so should be gone.
Time for National to deep dive into their party list and see if they are overlooking anyone.
As a safety measure, Luxon should warm up on the sideline. Although I won’t be surprised if he resigns from National. I think he may wind up as another National lightweight. Being a evangelical Christian won’t help.
Re Amy Adams. Wiki:
”Amy Adams describes herself as “socially liberal, economically conservative.” She considers herself a feminist and supported the Abortion Legislation Act 2020. She has defended abortion on the grounds of women’s reproductive rights and urged religious opponents of abortion reform to stop teaching that contraception is a sin. Adams has also voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage and legalising assisted dying for people with terminal illnesses. ”
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020Adams has also voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage and legalising assisted dying for people with terminal illnesses.
So did Collins.
Corky
/ 16th July 2020Nothing too serious. It’s the overall vibe that counts.
lurcher1948
/ 16th July 2020Wow,lets bash the bennies, its election time..Collins will show NZ how tough she is by making the insignificant peoples lives worse hence her nickname (crusher)
Corky
/ 16th July 2020ACT is doing that. ACT will introduce accountability for all beanies. Accountability passes as bashing and abuse in Aotearoa.
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020You do realise that a beanie is a hat, don’t you ?
ACT wants .55% of earnings to be income insurance (offset by a tax cut) and this would mean that people like the ones now on a pittance thanks to the PM’s drastic lockdown would be given 55% of their previous income, which will be far more than the present UB.
Their policy about the ‘DPB’ would ensure that the children benefit from the money.
As the PM has increased unemployment by 50% and saddled the country with a back-breaking debt, it’s hard to see how Judith Collins could possibly make people’s lives worse.
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020Wakey, wakey, PDTs. 55% of someone’s income is likely to be far more than the UB. For this they have a .55%,/b> levy taken which will be offset by a tax break. How can this not be better than what WINZ gives ?
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020Oops, forgot the <.
The average wage earner, if they had to use their wage insurance, would get $613 a week under this scheme. Half as much again as the UB.
duperez
/ 16th July 2020“(Kaye) comes across as insipid and weak.” In being the Minister of Education, where does the way you ‘come across’ feature compared to doing the job well and working effectively with the sector?
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020Her appearance is against her; she looks washed out and colourless, especially under harsh fluorescent light. As women we have a great advantage in that we can do something about this !
lurcher1948
/ 16th July 2020This ACT supporter is happy
Chuck Bird
National could have won under Bridges and it can under Collins. Kaye and Adams have done much damage to the party. If they want to help they should donate the wages till the leave at least after 19 Sept when they are no longer working.
Thumb up 5 Thumb down 3LOG IN TO REPLY REPORTJULY 16, 2020 8:31AM
I sometimes wonder what goes on in a rightwingers mind
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020They are not all clones, so it’s a pointless question.
Has the PM’s pay cut happened yet ?
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020I take it that means no, it hasn’t.
NOEL
/ 16th July 2020I suppose politics is one of those jobs where you can clearly see there is no future if you put your support behind the wrong person.
Similar to been employed where nepotism is rife.
Blazer
/ 16th July 2020Amy Adams epitomises ‘always be sincere…even if you don’t really mean it’…
Kaye is a bigger loss….out of her depth as deputy ,but valuable as Auck Cent M.P.
[Deleted – I won’t edit next time, I’ll just delete whole comments that abuse standards. PG]
Bridges has kept his composure and who knows could do a John Howard .
Blazer
/ 16th July 2020[Deleted]
Pete George
/ 16th July 2020A good response from Swarbrick, and good politics.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 16th July 2020Possible to question whether she is leaving on her own terms as Key clearly did. More like demonstrating Powell’s: “All political careers end in failure.”
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020She may well be thinking that she doesn’t need the hard work which is insultingly referred by the ignorant as troughing, the constant scrutiny and the sacrifice of her family.
Pete George
/ 16th July 2020Not all bad news for Collins and National.
duperez
/ 16th July 2020One story has it that Gerry Brownlee gets the ‘coveted’ Covid-19 recovery role. Coveted?
No headline blasting out like the Americas Cup, ‘We won the Cup!!’ or space travel ‘Over the moon!’ The restraint need to be exercised by sub-editors, ‘Gerry has Covid!’
The way they rock I bet there was the temptation.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 16th July 2020All sweetness and light, tight and supportive in this report and statements:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12348394
Be interesting to see where Newshub find needles to run with.
Alan Foster
/ 16th July 2020Woodhouse next ???
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020Probably not. He’s still on the front bench & Collins expresses confidence in him.
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020I watched a fair bit of Collins’ press conference announcing her spokesperson allocations on
Stuff’s live link, but missed the start so will wait to see the full lineup in print. Bridges & Muller are both on the front bench, so is Woodhouse. Smart move.
Of interest was how she handled reporters’ questions. With applomb. Most of their questions weren’t actually clearly audible but one could make a reasonable guess what they were from the answers given.
Tova O’Brien clearly tried to needle her with questions about leakers. Collins told her flatly she wasn’t interested in that sort of nonsense & wasn’t going to waste precious time going on a hunt for any. There’s an election to win. If they weren’t prepared to put their name on their comments how much did that tell you how much attention they deserve?
Tova looks likely to be getting short shrift on a regular basis.
She showed a human & compassionate side over Muller, Walker & warmth, diplomacy & tact over Adams & Kaye.
No doubt that Collins was in full control of that Press Conference. She only ended it when they ran out of questions.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 16th July 2020Yes, I’ve been impressed with how she’s handled her supposed enemies within. If the backroom matches the front of house she’s going to be fine.
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020I think it was a wise move to take Justice off Mitchell & give it to Bridges. Mitchell imo was never suited or qualified for that role. Mitchell in my view over-rates himself.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 16th July 2020Seems Collins agrees with you.
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020Stuff:
NATIONAL’S NEW TOP 10
1. Judith Collins: leader, national security
2. Gerry Brownlee: deputy leader, Covid-19 border response, GCSB, SIS
3. Paul Goldsmith: finance, earthquake commission
4. Simon Bridges: foreign affairs, justice
5. Shane Reti: health
6. Todd McClay: economic development, tourism
7. Chris Bishop: transport, infrastructure, shadow leader of the house
8. Todd Muller: trade
9. Louise Upston: social development, social investment
10. Scott Simpson: environment, climate change, planning (RMA reform)
Corky
/ 16th July 20201- National Security?
Doesn’t that come under Gerry’s brief?
Alan Wilkinson
/ 16th July 2020I think the Leader of the Opposition gets special security briefings?
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020Dunno quite how this works. But a similar set up with Labour’s team.
Ardern’s got responsibility for National Security & Intelligence, while Little has GCSB & SIS.
https://www.labour.org.nz/ourteam
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020Looks like:
11. David Bennet: Agriculture
12. Michael Woodhouse: Deputy Shadow Leader of the House, Regional Economic Development
https://www.national.org.nz/team
(Pretty spartan layout)
artcroft
/ 16th July 2020Not enough woman in the top ten now according to One News. Too many incompetents in Labour but no one cares.
Corky
/ 16th July 2020They just don’t give up. Pity Judith didn’t take them to task.
Kitty Catkin
/ 16th July 2020Tova O’Brien is becoming more and more spiteful, which looks most unprofessional. Her remarks are most uncalled for and she puts words into people’s mouths as well as making bitchy personal comments. Her remarks about Simon Bridges, who happened to be somewhere where there were yaks, were totally out of order. She is looking increasingly nasty, immature and,as I said, unprofessional.
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020On balance though, 1News at 6’s political editor, Jessica Mutch McKay, tends to be more matter of fact & relatively neutral in her presentations, & to generally focus on their political style & prospects, compared to Newshub’s Tova O’Brien who seems to be a full-on tabloid-style leak-seeking scandal-monger & muck-raker.
The front bench gender imbalance IS distinctly noticeable, but is probably made all the more glaring by the “time’s up” departures of several long-serving female MPs plus these last two, Kaye & Adams.
Collins says she appoints on merit anyway, but she also said this reshuffle was only a first & she wants to look at other relative newcomers with talent.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 16th July 2020Parker calls Collins a divisive, conflicting leader. That is why Labour will fear her. Some may remember how Muldoon destroyed Rowling and see a possible replay where “Be kind” looks more like a defeated wail than a moral imperative.
Gezza
/ 16th July 2020I’m thinking we’ll be seeing quite a few comparisons with Muldoon for devastating remarks, but Collins also has a light-hearted wit & disarming charm at handy times that he could never be accused of having.
duperez
/ 16th July 2020Great sport too if it’s all about destroying people.
Corky
/ 16th July 2020My, you are a wimp, Duperez. Get some backbone. Politics is about destroying people or being destroyed by the process. Just ask Little and Muller.
You need some beef liver tablets and a 16 kg kettlebell.Ok, beef livers are pretty toxic nowdays, but they will make a man out of you. The Kettlebell is for feeling pain; the type a polly would feel under stress. One set of a hundred Kettlebell swings should denude you of your Mary Poppins complex.
Pete George
/ 17th July 2020“Politics is about destroying people or being destroyed by the process.”
I needn’t be and it shouldn’t be. It should be about building a better country by the best people available.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 17th July 2020Politics is ruthlessly destructive sadly. I agree with PG it shouldn’t be but it mostly is. Media and political opponents spend their lives seeking blood. Much as I disliked Muldoon he only savaged those who attacked him. The Left as usual attacked him personally and got it back in return. Their media are already repeating that play.