Goff’s new Chief of Staff

Rob Hosking at NBR reports:

A high-flying former foreign policy adviser and an ambassador is tipped to be named as Auckland Mayor Phil Goff’s new chief of staff. 

Taha MacPherson has previously served as New Zealand’s ambassador to Israel and was, in more recent times, foreign policy adviser to then prime minister John Key.

Mr MacPherson worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the same time Mr Goff served as Trade Minister during Helen Clark’s Labour-led government. 

But he has connections, strong ones, across the political spectrum, and his selection for the role is an indication of Mr Goff’s view there is a strong need to keep the channels open no matter which party is in power in Wellington. 

A smart move. MacPherson is highly respected and a good negotiator.