Can’t show his face in NZ

If a High Commissioner has become such an embarrassment that the Government doesn’t think he can show his face in NZ, even to attend one of his closest friend’s funeral, then isn’t that pretty clear that he shouldn’t be carrying on in that role?

If you are that embarrassed you can’t show your face in public, then how can you be seen to be a credible representative for NZ?

Also the NZ Herald has a story on a proposal to have some sort of vetting of political appointments, which has considerable merit. Sometimes a political appointee does an excellent job and can get access well beyond what an MFAT staffer could. Bolger is the obvious example of this – people raved about the job he did. But other appointees have been less distinguished.