What do the three new Labour candidates all have in common?

So far Labour has selected three new candidates to replace sitting MPs in Labour seats.  Grant Robertson replacing Hobbs in Wellington Central.  Chris Hipkins replacing Swain in Rimutaka, and Brendon Burns replacing Barnett in Christchurch Central.

Is it coincidence that all three have worked (or for Hipkins still works) in Helen Clark’s personal office?

This shows the power of the head office.

This is not to say they are not all good candidates.  They are.  But to have three out of three all having worked for Helen is extraordinary.