Not all heroes are called Chris

Comment: That a man named Chris will be our next Prime Minister is probably a safe bet. With both Chrises beaming into my lounge regularly and their childhoods splashed across the weekend papers, I have been left questioning why we place so much emphasis on party leaders and leaders’ debates.

The Chris focus reeks of ‘hero leader’ thinking and seems to have a tight grip on our approach to politics. Having worked around the Beehive for decades, I know that no one man (or woman) holds that much power. Individual ministers have delegations, and decisions are made in Cabinet committees and Cabinet itself (and in dark corners and corridors). Even caucuses get a say. An independent judiciary puts the brakes on heroics too.