SaltyNZ:

 

MikeB4:

 

I agree with that. Don't stand if your heart and mind is no longer in it e.g Dame Jacinda Ardern. There is more mana in being honest and not standing than wasting time and efforts of your supporters.

 

 

 

 

I think that's a bit unfair.

 

Who here can honestly say they've never thought they were up to doing something for just one more go round and then found out that no, they really weren't. Golriz Gharhaman thought she was up for another 3 years of daily vile assault, rape and death threats - but she wasn't. For all you know her experience might have been what made up Shaw's mind. 

 

Or maybe it was that before the election he knew that a new National government was not exactly going to be a friend of the earth but after the coalition agreements and 100-day plans were announced he discovered that actually, there was nothing further he could add in the face of a "plan" which consists of nothing but triumphantly destroying everything he spent the last 6 years helping to build. It certainly wouldn't be great for my motivation after all that time.

 

But, as you mention Dame Jacinda Ardern: having come to that conclusion, the best thing is to go immediately. Now whoever takes the job has essentially an entire parliamentary term to come to grips with the job before having to fight another election.

 

I don't think you can say that Golriz Gharhaman wasn't up for another 3 years, she was, she simply got caught with her hand in the cookie jar, it had nothing to do with standing down because of unsavory actions against her. 

The timing is poor, what influence on party vote did his role as leader have? No one really knows, possibly minimal, possibly more. I do think he has more integrity than to deliberately mislead the public though