Cloud concerns Diplomatic manoeuvres The Insider
5G fallout
Aside from the political and diplomatic repercussions, the wider IT industry is still digesting the implications of the GCSB decision to block Huawei from the 5G network in New Zealand. As one insider put it: never mind the political and trade impact; shrinking the pool of technology suppliers will drive up industry costs. While the potential damage to our special relationship with China is one (big) thing to be worried about, driving up the cost of watching Netflix for the ordinary Kiwi is quite another. Another IT insider questions the effectiveness of the decision, given that the bulk of the global IT supply and manufacturing chain — regardless of company — passes through China anyway.
IT security experts are also contrasting ministerial concerns about Huawei with their enthusiasm for departments embracing the “cloud”. Using cloud computing makes a lot of sense economically and for technical reasons. However, it can also remove some assurances about security. Departments are trying to move to cloud services, but some are being very cautious. For instance, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet holds some of the most secret information in the country. It has told ministers it will have to tread carefully as such a move will “change our security risk profile”.
Friday flashback
And on the topic of Huawei and the China relationship, here’s a quote from The Insider, December 7, 2018: “Will NZ exporters find ‘paperwork’ problems delay goods on Chinese wharves? And will Chinese tourists and students be told a few unsavoury stories about life in New Zealand? It's likely that diplomats will find their Chinese counterparts are ‘busy’ and NZ politicians will be told their Chinese counterparts' diaries are unexpectedly full.”
Let the games begin
Parliament has been sitting for only a few days, but it is clear that this is going to be a very long year. First, there were the fun and games when the Government failed to get all its MPs to a meeting of the finance and expenditure select committee, National MPs walked out and the meeting was cancelled for lack of a quorum. Then, Speaker Trevor Mallard chastised ministers for failing to give proper replies to 172 written questions within deadlines, sometimes many months overdue. His former ministerial colleagues bristled at suggestions their offices were not well managed. Rubbing salt into that wound, National bombarded ministers with more written questions — more than 2000 were lodged within a few hours of the gates being opened. Tensions in Parliament’s business committee are already evident and tempers are rising after just a few days; they will be very frayed come December.
Aside from all the political gameplaying, long-serving Labour staffers are getting worried the mistakes are a sign of general disorganisation and complacency.
Safe as houses
In times of trouble and uncertainty, governments of all stripes tend to default to those with steady hands. Long before he became a Sir, Brian Roche (left) was a Mr Fixit for both National and Labour. The latest call on his skills is to set up the new Housing and Urban Development Authority, which is going to be vital in trying to meet some of the Government’s affordable-housing targets. Roche has interests in many things. Among them is the chairmanship of Pouakai, which is seeking Government assistance to set up an experimental plant in Taranaki, to produce hydrogen and electricity while capturing carbon. No one doubts Roche’s skills, but many will be watching to see if the project, 100 per cent owned by Texas firm 8 Rivers, gets its money.
Civil service watchers are looking on with interest as two new bosses take over major departments. Brook Barrington, the former head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has taken over at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. He is expected to bring a new focus to Jacinda Ardern’s attention to foreign policy. This will matter, as Ardern has been criticised for not understanding, or not being aware of, some of the directions Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has been taking. While she gets rave reviews in the international media, Ardern has found herself in the unfortunate position of not wanting to go to Washington and being unwelcome in Beijing. She was warmly received in Europe, but the moment she left Brussels, the EU moved to cut access for our exports. Realpolitik tends to be unkind. Meanwhile, another experienced diplomat, Chris Seed, has taken over at MFAT, where he will have to deal with Peters, who has his own strong views on NZ’s relationships with the world, especially China.