Below the beltway

A casting call from Vogue magazine, a glowing introduction to an international audience from climate change superstar Al Gore, and a prime spot in London’s FT magazine. The honeymoon at home may be more muted, but internationally Ardern is making a splash.

Bill English: Belated recognition for his government’s ground-breaking move on benefit rates with news that child poverty is down for the first time in nearly a decade.

David Parker: A big week for the attorney-general and environment minister. He is fast shaping up as Labour’s resident fix-it man and trouble shooter.

DOWN

Health Ministry director-general Chai Chuah: He announced his resignation just a day ahead of a damning report that slated his oversight of an inept and timid response to a growing drinking water crisis.

Nick Smith: Insists he has ‘‘no regrets’’ about his time as housing minister but probably should after a briefing paper to the new Government revealed a 71,000 shortfall in houses across New Zealand and a 45,000 shortfall in Auckland.

Defence bosses: They knew for months that toxic chemicals could have contaminated local water supplies near two of its air bases but have only now told locals.

RUNNING MAN

It’s still sinking in for some Labour ministers that they’re now on the Government side of the debating chamber rather than the Opposition benches. Housing Minister Phil Twyford was still holding court with reporters after Parliament’s bells stopped ringing to summon MPs to the debating chamber for Question Time when he suddenly realised he was the first minister up for questions. Oops. Twyford’s sprint to the House must have set a record.