The Eagle has flown

The Herald reports:

The man who’s often been referred to as the most powerful non-elected politician in the country is quitting.

Wayne Eagleson has been Sir John Key and Bill English’s chief of staff for 12 years, but says it’s time to look at other options.

Mr Eagleson will stay around until the new Government is formed, which is expected to be around mid-October.

Eagleson formally told Bill English last week he planned to resign after the election but insiders say it has been known by the Ninth Floor for several months that he planned to go, no matter what the election result.

He will stay on for the next few week to assist with coalition talks planned between National and New Zealand First.

Eagleson was a former deputy chief of staff to Jim Bolger, and after some experience in public relations in the private sector returned to Parliament to become chief of staff to Don Brash in Opposition.

He stayed on to become Key’s chief of staff in Opposition and then in Government.

Most people in New Zealand (outside the beltway) have never heard of Wayne Eagleson, and that is a sign of his success. We have seen Chiefs of Staff who have become household names such as Peta Credlin in Australia and Heather Simpson in New Zealand. When you become the story you are less effective.

It’s a hugely challenging role. You need a relationship so strong with the Prime Minister that if you speak to someone, they will understand you are speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister. If that relationship is not strong, then people will work around the Chief of Staff. No one ever worked around Wayne.

But being a pitbull guardian of the PM doesn’t work either. Credlin was that. Ministers resented her for that. No Minister resented Wayne. In fact I don’t know anyone in politics with a bad word to say about him.  He had that rare mix of authority and approachability.

Wayne will be a big loss to the Government. But it is no surprise after 12 years he is keen for a more normal job.