Will's Word: Maipi-Clark and Sepuloni shine in a solid opposition effort

You would have seen my list earlier this week on who I thought the top cabinet performers were this year. Might I emphasise, based solely on their delivery, not whether or not I necessarily agree with their politics.

So, for the sake of balance, I thought I'd give you my standout opposition MPs for this year.

Number one, hands down, has to go to Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clark, and the reasons are frankly obvious.

Now, Maipi-Clark has been an absolute force in opposition, from her moving haka in the house to protest against the Treaty Principles Bill, to her epic takedown of Matua Winnie earlier this year.

The 22-year-old has, to me, exemplified what it means to be an effective opposition MP by pushing back against the Government's agenda and disrupting the norm of what it actually means to be a politician.

She has ushered in a new style of politics that cannot be denied, and is an inspiration to the next generation of leaders in Aotearoa. I look forward to seeing more of Maipi-Clark in 2025.

My number two pick is Labour's deputy leader, Carmel Sepuloni. Dare I say she should be leader. She has equally been a force in opposition this year.

This is why Sepuloni has been good. In fact, she's been great. Sepuloni's wealth of experience in the previous Government means she knows what she's talking about, right?

And so her criticism of the coalition this year has been measured and totally appropriate.

Carmel Sepuloni's appearance on Celebrity Treasure Island allowed us to see a more personal side to the politician. Photo/TVNZ.

Also, I'll add this, despite my repeated attempts this year to even get a sense of disunity among the Labour Party caucus, Sepuloni has always maintained the party is a solid, cohesive team. And you can certainly feel that. It is disciplined.

It is a well-oiled machine. And that comes down to the leadership of herself and Chris Hipkins.

I was particularly moved by her speech to party faithful in Christchurch recently. So stunned by that speech, in fact, that frankly, it is still a shock to me that she is not the party's leader.

We also saw a different side to Carmel this year when she appeared on Celebrity Treasure Island, right? So often do we see politicians as these two-dimensional characters. It was great to see a more personal side to Sepuloni.

Also, the fact that she is the deputy leader of the second biggest party in Parliament. She's a woman. She's Pacific.

Politics aside, whether you agree or not on her style of politics, you cannot deny it is pretty cool for our Pacific community to have a female Pacific leader in a major party. It's pretty inspiring, and it's pretty moving, and it's great to see a reflection of ourselves. To know that we can make it into such roles.

So, Carmel Sepuloni, you were my second pick for Opposition MP this year.

Have a listen to Will's Word below

And just a general comment. I have to say, the Opposition overall has been solid.

It was tough to pick my two because, frankly, this government has handed the criticism to themselves.

It has not been that hard to sit in Opposition and criticise this government because they have made some pretty dumb moves, frankly.

And so, actually, perhaps my number three pick is the entire Opposition.

Because they've all done a good job because it's been easy for them to criticise this government.

That's Will's Word.