NZ First loses two top staffers

NZPA reports:

Two senior staff in New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’ office have left in quick succession.

Mr Peters’ senior private secretary Graham Harding is leaving tomorrow after only telling most office staff last week that he was departing.

His departure after 12 years with Mr Peters follows the recent exit of senior advisor Ernie Davis.

Mr Harding told NZPA that he could not commit to another three years of work following this year’s general election.

Asked if there had been a falling out between Mr Peters and his senior staff, Mr Harding said he would not comment on his departure, saying Mr Peters was the only person commenting.

Other staff also referred questions to Mr Peters.

NZPA understands that Mr Davis had been planning to leave for some time though Mr Harding’s decision had come out of the blue for most staff.

There may be nothing to this, but it unusual to leave this close to an election. In fact there is almost an unwritten parliamentary rule that if you want to move on, you do it before election year or very early in the year.

Ernie Davis is somewhat more advanced in years than Graham and not sure I would read too much into his departure. Graham leaving is a surprise, and does seem to have happened quickly.
I actually regard Graham Harding as a bloody good guy, and a very loyal trooper.  He has been with NZ First for well over a decade – first as a candidate, and later as Research Head and other senior roles. Despite the varying relationships between the parties over the years he has always been very friendly and easy to deal with.

I first met Graham when he was involved with the Labour Party, but also head of the Police Association. He spoke to a law & order forum at a Young Nats conference in the late 80s I think, and was full of common sense.

NZ First also lost MP Brian Donnelly, who was their Campaign Chair. So they will be going into the election with quite a turnover.