The best television current affairs journalist is Maori Television's Julian Wilcox, on Native Affairs _ much more please.

And Simon Pound on Media 7 did a startlingly good _ though late _ story on the little-known media mogul side of Hone Harawira.

Mark Sainsbury performed well in the last leaders' debate, asking simple questions we'd all like to ask, but why ambush Clark and Key with questions from children who don't vote?

And why, on election night, did Sainsbury have Noelle McCarthy wittering on breathlessly?

She came over like a pretty little teenager woken up by adoring dad to join the grown-ups' party.

It was cruel to watch and McCarthy was completely out of her depth.

The Irish lass is dangerously muddled _ does she want to be a celebrity or a journalist? Posing for gossip pages in designer frocks is not really the best way to be taken seriously.

Over on TV3 (and briefly on Media 7) Linda Clark proved she's still one of the sharpest political commentators around _ and boy does she look good on telly.

Please can we replace Guyon and Duncan with Linda and Jane Young?

Those critics who bag John Campbell for his "gushiness" should dine at his parents' super-good restaurant here in Martinborough, where Dad Jim Campbell greets customers with the same "terrific to have you, thanks guys, fantastic choice".

Learned at father's knee, obviously.

But where would our lives be without the weekly joy of Jane Clifton's Listener column?

She has to be the best political sketch writer New Zealand's ever seen, and would give anyone in The Spectator cause to tremble.

Like my daily doses of coffee, love, wine and sunshine, a weekly intake of Clifton is essential for the spirit.

The essence of good journalism, to me, is when you read it even if the topic's a bore.

Clifton might, just occasionally, get a fact wrong, but subjecting us to ennui is not on her list of sins.

And are we in New Zealand well-served in the future?

Most definitely, if the publication put out by AUT journalism students, Te Waha Nui (Big Mouth), is any indication.

I picked up their pre-election special in late October and was impressed _ good questions asked, short items clearly written, no sign of student smart-arse.

Let's hope they're our future Cliftons, Robinsons, Edwards, Clarks _ political reporters who've become household names for their talents and skills, as opposed to celebrity scribblers who rise without trace because they can dress up and attend the opening of an oyster.

By Deborah Coddington | Email Deborah