Wendy Geus: Timaru Herald Ignores Rising Star’s Brilliant Debut

It’s not every day a new MP makes such a splash in the House on debut that veteran journalist Audrey Young declares his offering to be the best maiden speech she has heard in her 30 years in the business, with mutterings around the press gallery and beyond of big things ahead for the rookie MP.

Everyone was talking about James Meager, the new National MP for Rangitata. Coming first and delivering with such power and impact, his speech upstaged our new PM. But he needn’t worry – Winston did that too (also no worries).

David Farrar: Byron Clark calls working class Maori MP a class traitor

I'm quite fascinated by this comment. It is such a Marxist thing to do is to declare someone a class traitor. I'm somewhat surprising that Clark didn't also call James a race traitor.

Mike Hosking: The Government has had a good week

Now that we actually have things underway, this Government had a good week.

Taking almost two months after voting to open things is ludicrous, the three weeks of counting that is now under investigation anyway given they cocked it up, the swearing in and speech from the throne on two separate days when it could have been done in one - but at least after all that they have promised a shortened summer break given all there is to do.

David Farrar: Two great maiden speeches

Two great maiden speeches from the MPs chosen to lead off the Address in Reply debate. First was James Meager from Rangitata: