Tracy Watkins

Of all the rising stars in Labour’s ranks, the one it could probably least afford to end the year with a black mark against his name was Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi. That’s because he is practically the only rising star.

The Mana MP and former TVNZ reporter has been a revelation since his promotion to Cabinet; businesslike, competent and a natural communicator – a standout in a lineup that has otherwise looked lacklustre and underpowered.

2019 was supposed to be Faafoi’s year – finally promoted as a result of pressure on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to reward one of her better performing junior ministers.

If anything, Faafoi’s handling of allegations that he helped out a mate on an immigration matter has only reinforced that picture of competence. It’s been textbook so far.

On the face of it, he seems to have made a dumb promise to Opshop singer Jason Kerrison that he’d try and help out on an immigration matter and that was about as far as it went.

While he strung Kerrison along in a series of ill-advised text messages, there doesn’t appear to be any evidence that he took it further than would be proper with any constituent. But even sending the texts was stupid.

These things always leave a smell, and that’s something neither Faafoi or Labour need.

Ardern’s ‘‘brand’’ recognition is so huge it has almost become a millstone around Labour’s neck. One Aussie journalist even called her ‘‘iconic’’ last week.

Unsurprisingly, Ardern’s is the face that Labour wants to see in the mirror every morning; young, empathetic, progressive, strong, forward looking – with a bit of Hollywood glamour thrown in. But unlike former prime ministers John Key or Helen Clark, whose brands were synonymous with the governments they led, ‘‘brand Ardern’’ has not attached itself to Labour’s brand in the same way.

Voters like Ardern but the power of her brand has almost exaggerated the disconnect with the rest of her Cabinet; few of them have managed to shine and the general view seems to be that she’s too often let down by incompetent ministers.

Faafoi is one of the few ministers who looked more like the sort of Government Ardern should be leading. The handful of others include Education Minister Chris Hipkins (or outside Labour, Climate Change Minister and Green Party co-leader James Shaw). Many of the rest make Ardern’s Government look tired and in need of a refresh – even if it’s only been two years.

Her Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, is a septuagenarian whose political instincts cast him as the bulwark against a Labour Party that’s out of touch with the mainstream.

Her highest profile ministers have gained recognition for all the wrong reasons – notably Phil Twyford and his KiwiBuild train wreck.

Even Finance Minister Grant Robertson, quietly building his reputation in the background, hasn’t yet come out of her shadow in the same way as his Labour predecessor, Sir Michael Cullen, who made a formidable double act with Clark.

Anecdotally, Ardern can be quite forthright behind closed doors when she feels an MP or minister has let her down. As MPs prepare to head off for the summer break, she might want to summon some of that steel for a final chat suggesting they all come back next year ready to step up.

2019 was supposed to be Faafoi’s year – finally promoted as a result of pressure on Ardern to reward one of her better performing junior ministers.