The 2008 Press Gallery Party

Last night was one of their better ones. It was held mainly outside which is far more fun then in a sterile room such as the Grand Hall. And the journos spent many hours behind the bbq and the bar as cordial hosts.

Every year the gallery have a photo taken, and they all hang up proudly in their corridor. This year some wag added this photo to the corridor. You can’t see all the names, but they are of all the well known members of the gallery. Very, very amusing.

And as double proof Winston is gone but not forgotten!

Now the gallery party is of course off the record, so all the fascinating conversations remain private. But I did enjoy chatting to MPs and staff from all parties – it was a very relaxed do.

I can report on a couple of media movements though, as they are about to be made public:

• A TVNZ reporter is moving to Phil Goff’s office, so it is not just the Government that has picked up the odd gallery member.
• A high profile Maori Party candidate has been hired as Tariana’s press secretary

I hear whispers the House may rise today, so the party was well timed!