Will’s Word: Peters and Seymour Cabinet's standout performers in 2024

Here's my list of who I reckon did a cracking job in their portfolios this year as Cabinet Ministers.

Now number one is hands down, Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters.

We have seen a level of travel from our Foreign Affairs Minister that, dare I say, we haven't seen from anyone in that portfolio in recent times.

Of course, Covid happened, so it was difficult for Nanaia Mahuta to do it when she was in that position.

But Peters' particular commitment to the Pacific region has been obvious this year. The bulk of his travel has been dedicated to that region, all of which is, of course, aimed at strengthening New Zealand's commitment to the Pacific.

I have also noted New Zealand First's relentless commitment to seeing the Samoan Citizenship Bill pass this year.

And Peters actually means what he says, at least from my perspective, when it comes to building better relationships with the Pacific.

And I have felt that through every interview I conducted with Winston this year.

So number one has to go to Winston Peters.

Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters has shown commitment to the Pacific.

Number two, and this is a controversial pick and I can already hear people saying, well William, that's a dumb choice, love him or hate him, my number two pick is David Seymour.

Seymour has done well advocating for what he believes in, and you have to admire or appreciate that about the man.

He got charter schools across the line. We've now got cheaper school lunches, which are more cost-efficient for the taxpayer.

We've also seen that he's pursued, of course, controversially, the Treaty Principles Bill.

Some, even within Cabinet, perhaps suggest that Seymour is really the guy running this government because he's had win after win after win this year.

You have to admire the man for his gusto, commitment, and drive, particularly when you've got a very vocal group that is not happy with what you're doing.

I mean the pushback and the negativity that he must get must be relentless day in and day out.

And, of course, naturally so, because what the man has suggested this year, particularly on the Treaty Principles Bill, is highly controversial and divisive.

And I don't want to water that down because those concerns are totally valid.

Seymour has done well in advocating for what he believes in. Photo/RNZ

However, in terms of sheer performance this year, it has to go to David Seymour.

And I also have to say this about David Seymour.

What I appreciate about him is that he will make time for interviews, and whether it is at short notice or not, he will show up.

So David Seymour is my number two pick.

Now, if I look around the Cabinet table and see the ministers who I think are underperforming, I immediately think of Casey Costello, who, of course, is in charge of the Smoke-Free 2025 legislation.

Dare I say she has done a shocking job, a shocking job with her portfolios.

And also, might I add, she barely shows up for media interviews.

I believe Q&A on TVNZ has been relentlessly pursuing Casey Costello for an interview, which she has repeatedly declined. She is perhaps the most unreachable Cabinet minister ever.

So she, to me, is incredibly underperforming and, dare I say, perhaps should be stripped, should be stripped of her portfolios.

And just one final mention, an honourable or a dishonourable mention. Melissa Lee.

Do you remember her? She was our media minister. What a shambolic minister she was, in charge of the broadcasting industry.

With News Hub's closure I can still remember her comment, oh well people can go watch Sky News.

Newsflash: News Hub produced Sky News, which was a minister's most out-of-touch daft comment this year.

One would think that if you had that portfolio, you would know the products that are out there. What I mean by that is that News Hub produced Sky News.

Do you think the Minister for Broadcasting would have known that? Melissa Lee, you're a dishonourable mention.

That's Will's Word.