Not only was Dr Johansson a leading expert in political strategy and New Zealand politics, he was already close to many of those in power.
His role as chief of staff was primarily going to involve management, ensuring the NZ First caucus and staff were working together with their counterparts, Dr Edwards told the Otago Daily Times.
`` Because Johansson is already close to the two other parties, he will be well placed to ensure coalition stability and make sure NZ First's interests are looked after by Labour and the Greens.''
Political management was not always something an academic was best at, despite knowing all the theory.
Dr Johansson was going into an important management role with no proven record or experience in the nitty-gritty of how Parliament worked, Dr Edwards said.
NZ First was one of the more elusive and mysterious political vehicles around.
``So, landing straight at the top of this empire, albeit beside [leader] Winston Peters, might still prove a difficult task.
``We will have to wait and see if Johansson has the skills and talent to deal with the difficult people and problems that will arise in the NZ First team.''
The Green Party announced yesterday Andrew Campbell was returning as chief strategist in the party's Parliamentary team.
Mr Campbell formerly worked as the party's chief of staff and director of communications, and was also a member of its coalition negotiations team. Most recently he worked for the New Zealand Rugby Union.
NZME reported on Saturday Heather Simpson, formerly Helen Clark's chief of staff in government at the UN, had been helping out with the government formation. Two other solid former Clark staffers, Gordon Jon Thompson and Mike Munro, had been lending their weight in Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's office.
Dr Edwards said Dr Johansson did not have a history of involvement in NZ First which could be considered a disadvantage in his role as chief of staff.
He would not be aware of the configurations of power and policy within his new party.
``He's essentially an outsider, coming in to manage people who don't know him or necessarily trust him. But this could be an advantage. He won't be tainted by any of the factional differences and loyalties in the party.''
Dr Johansson came in as a more independent force in the party and he would have greater ability to deal with disputes and differences, Dr Edwards said.
He would also have a greater degree of objectivity, which could be useful. It was not always good to have a ``true believer'' running the parliamentary operations of a political party.
Few university academics would know the Wellington political scene as well as Dr Johansson. He was a creature of the Wellington political scene like no other and would have little trouble shifting from the classroom to the parliamentary complex.
Dr Johansson specialised in New Zealand and American politics, and political leadership at Victoria University.
