Party Hopper

"I've found over the many years that, when elections come along, I just sit still at my Beehive desk, buy a coffee, the people around me all change, and I just carry on." This is the story of Peter McCardle's journey through the last thirty years in New Zealand politics. Beginning as a National MP, then with New Zealand First as a Cabinet Minister, later as a manager with ACT, completing an unplanned full circle return to the Beehive in the John Key Government. In this journey, Peter worked near to twelve political party leaders, including seven Prime Ministers, and played a leading role for NZ First in the 1996 MMP coalition talks. He created WINZ, subsequently served as senior political advisor to National's health ministers until 2017, which included Nationals response to the 2009/10 Swine flu pandemic. This health experience helped inform his insight into New Zealand's political and public response to Covid-19 and omicron. This book shares his insights and views on the Nationals party leadership changes over the years, including the current leadership. Party Hopper may surprise, please, differ from your views, or just entertain. Or all of these. Regardless, it will certainly leave you better informed.