Vaughan Gunson: Jacinda, Winston and James on stage together again

New Zealand First's Winston Peters, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and James Shaw from the Green Party talk with media after outlining the next steps in the Coalition Government's plan for a modern and prosperous New Zealand at an event on Sunday in Auckland. Photo / NZ Herald

And there they were, the three of them together, fronting to the press, Jacinda, Winston and James. It's ages since members of the band have been seen together like this, posing amicably for a photo.

The gossip columns have been full of rumours of a split. Major creative and personal differences are cited.

Sharing the podium together was a calculated attempt to show unity. To keep the fans happy and silence critics.

It wasn't like those early days though, when they'd come together to form a new supergroup in a wave of popularity, especially for their charismatic lead singer, drummer and chief songwriter, Jacinda.

Now there was weariness on their faces, the banter a little more awkward, the body language tense, despite the smiles.

Critics of the group have always said it couldn't last. Not with Winston in the band.

In concerts, the fiery lead guitarist is known to launch into solos over the top of the chorus. Sometimes, to the frustration of anyone who's played with Winston, he'll start playing in a completely different key, forcing the rest of the band to adapt on the spot.

Some critics argue this is indulgent, others say it brings out the best of the band. At least with Winston, it's never boring.

Over the past few months, however, tensions in the studio are said to be high. Jacinda thinks the band should work on a concept album, pulling all their talents into a grand artistic statement.

People close to Winston are saying he just wants to work on individual songs, most importantly his own, and not be straight-jacketed to Jacinda's artistic vision.

There's speculation Jacinda is losing control of the group. For all her ambition, critics say, she doesn't have enough quality material to deliver a new album. That's why Winston feels he can push his own agenda.

James, for his part, wants Jacinda and Winston to get along better. He's never been in a popular band like this before. As long as he gets to contribute a song or two, raise his profile, he'll be happy.

He's a purist, if a little naïve when it comes to band politics and the commercial market, but critics have always praised James's artistic integrity. His bass playing isn't flashy, but it's often original and critical to the band's fresh new sound. Losing him, it's generally agreed, would be a disaster for the group.

The question has always been with this band, would James and Winston, so different in personality and musical vision, be able to work together without strong leadership from Jacinda. The consensus is no.

The next 12 months will be crucial to the long term future of the band. Will they pull together under Jacinda's leadership and deliver to their fans?

Or will Winston's cantankerous rock 'n roll behaviour (which is looking increasingly tired and out of step with musical trends) destroy this fledgling supergroup?

Might Jacinda and James be better to reform another day as a duo?" Maybe Winston, always a maverick, will look for what he can get from forming a new band with Simon.

■ Vaughan Gunson is a writer and poet interested in social justice and big issues facing the planet.