It was Team Bridges vs Team Ardern in Parliament for the first time since the reshuffle by new National leader Simon Bridges.
But it was Team Bridges vs New Zealand First in many respects in Question Time, the time of day when the Opposition holds the Government to account.
Bridges'question to Prime Minister Ardern was a standard one designed to hide any number of ambushes about herself or her ministers: Does she stand by all her statements?
National leader Simon Bridges during Question Time in Parliament today. Photo / Mark Mitchell
But almost all of the follow-up questions from Bridges concerned the ministerial management of New Zealand First ministers Ron Mark, Shane Jones and Winston Peters.
It may not have been deliberate. It may just be that they presented the largest and slowest moving target from the past week: a trip to the Chatham Islands by eight ministers (three NZ First ministers) to open a wharf built under the last Government; a helicopter ride by Ron Mark with the Defence Force otherwise known by National as "Ron Air", and the response by Ardern and Peters to the British Government's call for support over the Salisbury nerve-agent attack.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern responding to Bridges during Question Time in Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Speaker Trevor Mallard had the biggest impact on Question Time, pleasing no one in the process. He ruled out several National questions that seemed acceptable - one on the grounds of "tone" - and would not allow ministers to answer questions that he had ruled out of order even if they contained unfair allegations.
RATING THEM OUT OF 5
Simon Bridges vs Jacinda Ardern – leadership
Bridges takes a mocking tone with Ardern as he attempts to paint a picture of profligacy among ministers: "Has she given advice to Jenny Salesa that one way to reduce her spending on Crown cars is simply to ring 'Ron Air' and them to pick her up from her place?'
Ardern is quick on feet though and slaps down Bridges when he tries to get her to admit that none of the 100 million trees a year under the billion-tree target has yet been planted.
"I would hope the member would know enough to know that planting in the middle of summer is not a good idea."
Bridges 5, Ardern 4
Amy Adams vs Grant Robertson - finance
Adams highlights a TV quote from Ardern suggesting the Government is short of money but Robertson barely needs to refer to notes to see her arguments off.
Adams 2, Robertson 4
Todd McClay vs Winston Peters – foreign affairs
McClay asks the question every one else has been wondering ever since Peters got a commitment from Labour to go after an FTA with Russia: "Can he explain to the House his preoccupation – in fact his infatuation – with Russia?"
McClay was shut down by Speaker Trevor Mallard despite protestations by shadow leader of the House Gerry Brownlee that the trade deal was written into the coalition agreement.
However Peters manages to produce a quote showing that last year National supported greater access for Kiwi business to Russia.
McClay 4, Peters 2
Paul Goldsmith vs Shane Jones – regional development
Goldsmith lacks the loquaciousness of Jones but still managed to outdo him with a question comparing him to Pablo Escobar rolling around the country climbing in and out of helicopters handling out cash [from the Provincial Development Fund].
Jones hit back pointing out that National's own former MPs John Carter (Far North Mayor) and Murray McCully (Far North Holdings director) supported many of the projects funded by the PDF.
Goldsmith 4, Jones 4
Judith Collins vs Phil Twyford - housing
Try as she might, Collins failed to get Twyford to say the words "none" when demanding to know how many houses had been built under the Kiwibuild programme or the word "yes" to the question of whether his Kiwibuild targets from July 1 would include developments consented under the National Government.
"None" and "yes" were the correct answers, although Collins did not need him to utter the words to make her point. He was much more forthcoming to questions from his own side, saying the target for year one was 1000 affordable homes, 5000 in year two and 10,000 in year three. No home runs for either.
