One day last year, I was walking down Cashel Mall in Christchurch and I saw Finance Minister Grant Robertson.

Some people wanted to take a selfie - which he was perfectly happy to do - but I heard him say first: “Hold on, I better put a mask on first or Jacinda will tell me off."

Which probably sounded like a bit of a gag but I remember thinking at the time ‘yeah I bet she would’.

That’s because I’ve always considered Jacinda Ardern to be a bit of a Helen Clark. Even her mannerisms are similar. And I can see very clearly that behind the smiles and kindness talk there is a ruthless political operator there.

She wouldn’t be where she is today if she wasn’t. And perhaps goes some way to explain why she’s done nothing about that awful Labour Party bully Trevor Mallard. As I’ve said many times, in my honest opinion he is a bully and should’ve been given the flick ages ago.

And, as I’ve said before, it is shameful that Jacinda Ardern has done nothing about Trevor Mallard. But he is obviously very useful for the Prime Minister.

Awful, but useful too.

That’s why I’m not in the least bit surprised that we have Labour backbench MP Gaurav Sharma saying that there’s all sorts of bullying behaviour going on at Parliament.

He seems to be particularly concerned about the way MPs are treated by party whips and the Parliamentary Service, which provides administration support and runs the complex. And you know who’s in charge of that, don’t you? Yep, Speaker Trevor Mallard.

Sharma is a relative newcomer to Parliament. He’s only been there since 2020.

But obviously he’s had a gutsful already and he’s written this opinion piece about it for the New Zealand Herald.

I think as far as his career as a Labour Party politician is concerned, he’s an idiot for doing what he’s done. Jacinda will be fuming. Angry Andrew will be fuming. Even Chris Hipkins might be saying a few swear words.

“Chris, that’s not like you!”

“Oh sorry Jacinda. I’m just really annoyed, you know. That guy’s from Hamilton and we know there are bullies in Hamilton. So what makes him think he can call us bullies too? It’s just not on.”

I still don’t quite understand why Gaurav Sharma has done what he’s done.

There is obviously an issue bubbling away behind the scenes and so he’s decided to go public about it.

Labour Party whip Duncan Webb has confirmed that there are, what he calls, “employment matters” being dealt with.

And, man alive, the Labour Party machine is coming down hard on him.

He’s been in a bit of a stoush online with former Labour MP Darien Fenton who’s been online telling Sharma she’s “appalled” that he’s so ill-disciplined and is “mouthing off in the media” about this.

That’s a direct quote from the message the former Labour MP sent to Gaurav Sharma after his article was published by the Herald. Sharma went back to Darien Fenton saying it’s because of people like her that there's still a problem with bullying at Parliament. Boom!

But it’s not just former Labour MPs. Current Labour MPs are also trying hard to convince us that there’s nothing to see here.

One of them is Willy Jackson. How about this for a quote: “I have never seen it in my life. You’re going to have to talk to him but I have never seen it. We are great whanau.” That’s what Willie Jackson is saying.

But, with respect Willie, I’m not quite sure whether you’re the best person to be making that kind of judgement. I’m not saying you’re a bully mate, I just suspect that you’re one of the last people in Parliament that a bully would want to pick on. So, of course, you haven’t seen it.

And I think it is appalling that you are fobbing it off in this way.

Just like I think it’s appalling that current and former Labour MPs are ganging up on their MP for coming out and saying Parliament is a toxic place to work.

By responding the way it is, the Government and Labour is showing that it is just as much a part of the problem as anyone else in that strange, strange place we know as Parliament.

And it doesn’t give me much hope that things are going to get any less toxic at Parliament anytime soon.

Which is so rich, isn’t it, given we hear so much weasel words from politicians about cracking down on bullying, being kind to each other, looking after our mental health.

What a bunch of turkeys they all are.

One day last year, I was walking down Cashel Mall in Christchurch and I saw Finance Minister Grant Robertson.
Some people wanted to take a selfie - which he was perfectly happy to do - but I heard him say first: “Hold on, I better put a mask on first or Jacinda will tell me off."
Which probably sounded like a bit of a gag but I remember thinking at the time ‘yeah I bet she would’.
That’s because I’ve always considered Jacinda Ardern to be a bit of a Helen Clark. Even her mannerisms are similar. And I can see very clearly that behind the smiles and kindness talk there is a ruthless political operator there.
She wouldn’t be where she is today if she wasn’t. And perhaps goes some way to explain why she’s done nothing about that awful Labour Party bully Trevor Mallard. As I’ve said many times, in my honest opinion he is a bully and should’ve been given the flick ages ago.
And, as I’ve said before, it is shameful that Jacinda Ardern has done nothing about Trevor Mallard. But he is obviously very useful for the Prime Minister.
Awful, but useful too.
That’s why I’m not in the least bit surprised that we have Labour backbench MP Gaurav Sharma saying that there’s all sorts of bullying behaviour going on at Parliament.
He seems to be particularly concerned about the way MPs are treated by party whips and the Parliamentary Service, which provides administration support and runs the complex. And you know who’s in charge of that, don’t you? Yep, Speaker Trevor Mallard.
Sharma is a relative newcomer to Parliament. He’s only been there since 2020.
But obviously he’s had a gutsful already and he’s written this opinion piece about it for the New Zealand Herald.
I think as far as his career as a Labour Party politician is concerned, he’s an idiot for doing what he’s done. Jacinda will be fuming. Angry Andrew will be fuming. Even Chris Hipkins might be saying a few swear words.
“Chris, that’s not like you!”
“Oh sorry Jacinda. I’m just really annoyed, you know. That guy’s from Hamilton and we know there are bullies in Hamilton. So what makes him think he can call us bullies too? It’s just not on.”
I still don’t quite understand why Gaurav Sharma has done what he’s done.
There is obviously an issue bubbling away behind the scenes and so he’s decided to go public about it.
Labour Party whip Duncan Webb has confirmed that there are, what he calls, “employment matters” being dealt with.
And, man alive, the Labour Party machine is coming down hard on him.
He’s been in a bit of a stoush online with former Labour MP Darien Fenton who’s been online telling Sharma she’s “appalled” that he’s so ill-disciplined and is “mouthing off in the media” about this.
That’s a direct quote from the message the former Labour MP sent to Gaurav Sharma after his article was published by the Herald. Sharma went back to Darien Fenton saying it’s because of people like her that there's still a problem with bullying at Parliament. Boom!
But it’s not just former Labour MPs. Current Labour MPs are also trying hard to convince us that there’s nothing to see here.
One of them is Willy Jackson. How about this for a quote: “I have never seen it in my life. You’re going to have to talk to him but I have never seen it. We are great whanau.” That’s what Willie Jackson is saying.
But, with respect Willie, I’m not quite sure whether you’re the best person to be making that kind of judgement. I’m not saying you’re a bully mate, I just suspect that you’re one of the last people in Parliament that a bully would want to pick on. So, of course, you haven’t seen it.
And I think it is appalling that you are fobbing it off in this way.
Just like I think it’s appalling that current and former Labour MPs are ganging up on their MP for coming out and saying Parliament is a toxic place to work.
By responding the way it is, the Government and Labour is showing that it is just as much a part of the problem as anyone else in that strange, strange place we know as Parliament.
And it doesn’t give me much hope that things are going to get any less toxic at Parliament anytime soon.
Which is so rich, isn’t it, given we hear so much weasel words from politicians about cracking down on bullying, being kind to each other, looking after our mental health.
What a bunch of turkeys they all are.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.

It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.

If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio.

With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector.

Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays. It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking. If it’s news you’re after, backing John is the combined power of the Newstalk ZB and New Zealand Herald news teams. Meaning when it comes to covering breaking news – you will not beat local radio. With two decades experience in communications based in Christchurch, John also has a deep understanding of and connections to the Christchurch and Canterbury commercial sector. Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings 9am-12pm with John MacDonald on 100.1FM and iHeartRadio.

Every weekday join the new voice of local issues on Canterbury Mornings with John MacDonald, 9am-12pm weekdays.

It’s all about the conversation with John, as he gets right into the things that get our community talking.

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