Musical chairs among the power seats
They are the men and women behind the men and women in power, and they know better than most that this is politics – it’s not known for its job security.
Despite the talents of a vast array of strategists, officials and advisors, with the changing of the baton comes the changing of the guard.
Prime Minister Bill English was sworn yesterday. He will unveil a new-look Cabinet this week becomes the Beehive becomes a flurry of bubble-wrap and moving boxes over the coming days.
But in the party’s top tier, it can already be said that three offices – former Prime Minister John Key’s, English’s and incoming Finance Minister Steven Joyce’s – will be merged, slashed and transferred.
Here are the movers and shakers behind the scenes, all employed on what’s known as an ‘‘events-based’’ contract that expires when said ‘‘event’’ occurs:
Wayne Eagleson: Key’s former right-handman, and once private secretary to former prime minister Jim Bolger. He was often said to be the one running the country when Key was out of town.
‘‘When Eagleson says it, Key says it,’’ many an insider has been known to quip, and the MPs believed it too. Eagleson was one of the earliest appointments English made, before he himself was formally appointed, in fact – a testament to just how much his strategic mind is valued by the National Party.
Craig Howie: Howie’s expertise lies in the financials and he is one who has served both English and Key. Incidentally, he is also a former Evening Post business editor.
Howie was a Key staffer at last cut, though English may enjoy having him back – such was the loss when he was cherry-picked from English’s office for a promotion to the Beehive’s ninth floor. He’s among the many still awaiting his fate.
Paula Oliver: A loyal Key staffer and understudy to Eagleson, Oliver has already announced her own departure.
The former Herald press gallery reporter became influential on policy during her eight years in Key’s office.
But she’s taking the opportunity to try something new. Just what that is, even she doesn’t know. ‘‘I’m just going to take my chances and see if anyone wants what I can offer,’’ Oliver wrote on her Facebook page.
Having served in the innercircle of the world’s most popular centre-right prime minister will surely count for something on her CV.
Kelly Boxall: Replaced Key’s ‘‘black ops man’’, Jason Ede, after his ignominious end during the Dirty Politics scandal of 2014. Her role is different: think ‘‘ops without the black’’. She has occupies a back-office strategic communications role, and is highly respected in the upper echelons.
Julie Ash: Ash is confirmed to keep her role as chief press secretary to the prime minister. But she was the only one across both Key’s and English’s press teams to know their fate at the close of play yesterday.
The press teams could see some losses, or positions granted that may not be first choice, as six press secretaries – Key’s four, and English’s two – all vie for a ninthfloor position.
Ash, likely alongside Eagleson, will have a role in picking her team.
Michael Fox and Shelly Mackey: Two senior press secretaries. Fox was working as a political reporter for Fairfax at the last election. After being sent on assignment to watch rugby with Key, it seems the pair hit it off.
He was poached just after the election, and quickly rose to be one of the media minders that Key particularly liked travelling with. Fox enjoys respect throughout the Beehive.
Mackey earned her stripes working for former ACT leader John Banks, then moving to Simon Bridges’ office before being picked to work for Key.
Nick Venter: Will English’s former chief press secretary want to move up to the ninth floor? Or does the expertise of this former Dominion Post political editor turned press secretary to Hekia Parata (before he was plucked to work in the finance minister’s office) lie in advising the incoming Finance Minister Steven Joyce?
Nicola Grigg: She’s loyal to English, having been his press secretary for almost a year. Will English – a man big on staff loyalty – return the favour now?
Cameron Burrows: Set to stay as economic advisor to the PM. He was English’s staffer before Key plucked him.