6FIEND:

 

Rikkitic:

 

Obviously only time will tell how things work out in practice, but it seems to me that the Greens got a pretty good deal and certainly would not have done any better in any conceivable arrangement with National. They seem to be getting on just fine with others so all the blather about their inability to work together or cope with reality is just that. Considering the challenges they faced during the election, I think Shaw has done an absolutely brilliant job. He must be very pleased.

 

 

 

 

That's an optimistic perspective :-)

 

Here's an alternative view.

 

NZ First refused to even meet with the Greens.  They insisted that all negotiations were exclusively with Labour.  That is the antithesis of working together.

 

James Shaw did an absolutely brilliant job of doing nothing whatsoever.  He had ZERO influence in the negotiations and he is now faced with meekly accepting what he's given (which includes ZERO cabinet ministers)

 

I personally believe that they would have achieved much more by negotiating with both major parties.

 

Peters wanted power so he got a two party coalition, hence the Greens were not involved, that's Labours problem to manage. I feel thats Peters drawing his line in the sand. However, Greens get portfolios which Peters has agreed with. It seems to make sense to keep it two party. Take next election, lets say its the same win, maybe NZF down a bit, Greens up a bit, they would get parity then, and after three years of cooperation, that would also make sense. I put it down to that working with the Greens is an unknown, so they can step back, but also be rewarded.