This January, not so much, as what almost everyone expected the political landscape would look like was upended on January 19 by Jacinda Ardern’s surprise resignation from the post of prime minister.
While not a frequent visitor to the South Ms Ardern was, generally, an enthusiastically-received one. During her last visit to Dunedin she made a thoughtful speech at the Otago Daily Times Class Act event which is well worth a read, and her comments about leaving and embarking on new adventures seem quite apposite advice in retrospect.
Politicians cop plenty of abuse and it does sting, although most try to shrug it off as being part of the job.
Ms Ardern would never say the barrage she received — and continues to receive — influenced her decision to step down from the top job, otherwise the fringe dwellers who have spewed out some quite appalling bile over the past two years would regard it as a victory and a vindication.
Differing points of view are all very well — that is why political parties and interest groups exist — and reasoned discourse is essential for any properly functioning Parliamentary democracy.
Even though what Ms Ardern sees will be well screened by her staff there is no way you can entirely insulate yourself from the people purporting, on non-existent "legal" grounds, that you are going to be indicted for genocide or executed for murder — and that’s just some of the milder stuff.
Quite what Ms Ardern’s departure means for the place of the South in the corridors of power remains to be seen.
Former South Dunedin school boy Grant Robertson will remain highly influential as Finance Minister but stepping back from being deputy Prime Minister diminishes his clout somewhat.
David Parker and Ayesha Verrall do have strong southern ties and although new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has yet to unveil his new Cabinet you would expect them to be in it.
But if, as expected, retiring Dunedin MP David Clark drops to the backbench there will likely be no southern-based MPs around the ministerial table.
While Invercargill list MP Liz Craig, Taieri MP Ingrid Leary and Dunedin list MP Rachel Brooking have done little wrong — and quite a bit right — this term and may be elevated to some degree, the top table looks a stretch too far at this stage.
Almost completely overshadowed by Ms Ardern’s showstopper of an announcement was the National party’s reshuffle, and this one did contain plenty of significance for southern MPs.
That said, his returning to his former role of shadow Leader of the House means that Mr Woodhouse will be integral to National’s planning this year, particularly in managing how it approaches select committees and the debating chamber.
Also notable is that he picked up economic development, a portfolio which means he is back as a member of his party’s finance team, and that he will be working closely with deputy leader Nicola Willis.
Also pleased with the reshuffle was Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds, a first-termer whose hard work prosecuting vocational education reform — and tormenting the former minister, one the honourable Chris Hipkins — earned her an elevation to 20 on the list.
While that could be marginal for her gaining a Cabinet seat should National win the October 14 election — likely coalition partner Act New Zealand will be demanding four or more positions — should Ms Simmonds continue to perform she would likely receive a ministerial role outside Cabinet at a minimum.
Southland MP Joseph Mooney added to his diverse range of portfolios by picking up associate agriculture and forestry, acquisitions which will likely see his energies re-directed into the primary sector.
While Mr Mooney has impressed in, and retains, Treaty settlements, he may well need to be moved out of the Maori affairs select committee to make way for the newly-elected Hamilton West MP Tama Potaka, a fresh face who National has high hopes for.
Labour’s reshuffle should be announced next week, giving its ministers new and old a couple of weeks to settle in before Parliament resumes on February 14.
One of the most disappointed southerners at the news of Ms Ardern’s would have been artist Sam Sharpe, who has built quite a niche industry selling his cleverly crafted pop culture images of the former prime minister.
Mr Sharpe is nothing if not proactive though and quickly rushed out an Ardern farewell special, as well as his premiere Hipkins effort.
