If a picture is truly worth a thousand words then the symbolism evoked by the video clips and photos of Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters seated alongside one another on a couch in the Prime Minister’s Beehive office was virtually priceless.
The parading of the country’s ultimate power couple in front of the cameras in a series of interviews with news outlets in order to mark — we won’t go as far as using the word “celebrate” — the Labour-New Zealand First coalition’s first anniversary might not be regarded as a big deal.
But seating the pair side-by-side was actually a stroke of genius on someone’s part.
On the most basic, most partisan of levels, the numerous images of conviviality and togetherness were in total contrast to the bloodbath into which Simon Bridges had become immersed no thanks to the one and, fortunately for National, only Jami-Lee Ross.
The bonhomie of the chitchat between Ardern and Peters was such that one was left to ponder whether Ardern had done the impossible. Had she struck up a relationship which went beyond the merely political?
The answer was not long in coming. Peters observed that the only reason why the pair had contact with one another was because politics so dictated.
Peters was being matter-of-fact honest. They both got something they wanted by appearing in the joint selfies.
For Ardern, the interviews were an opportunity to display coalition unity without labouring the point.
On that score, the rapport between the two leaders in Ardern’s office appeared more genuine and was thus more convincing than the last time the pair graced the same platform at the same time.
That was a mere six weeks ago, when Ardern unveiled what appeared to be a hurriedly-put-together coalition “blueprint” at what also seemed to be a hurriedly organised party function in an attempt to dispel suggestions that deep schisms were ripping the very fabric of her Government.
In being pictured sitting alongside Ardern, Peters got what he wanted — respect as more of an equal of Ardern, rather than a minor party adjunct outnumbered by its coalition partner to the tune of five to one.
When it came to respect, Ardern ladled it over Peters by the truckload. She dismissed the suggestion that he was “crusty”.
TVNZ1 Breakfast host Jack Tame quizzed the PM today about the sometimes awkward three-way partnership.
She went as far went as saying he was someone who was “misunderstood”.
Misunderstood? Tell that to the workers, Jacinda — the workers who voted Labour in expectation that what the party deemed to be the more iniquitous elements of National’s more recent industrial relations “reforms” would be repealed forthwith. Rather than becoming mere bargaining chips to be fluttered away as part of the trade-offs that are part-and-parcel of coalition government.
Neither Ardern nor Peters were of a mind to go there, however. The anniversary interviews were all about playing Happy Families — not cut-throat poker.
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