KEY POINTS:
Monday
Some small consolation for Helen Clark after last month's election defeat - the not-so-long-ago Prime Minister has received a hand-written thank you note from none other than the soon-to-be ex-President of the United States. George W. Bush penned the note after hearing Clark would not be
at the Apec leaders' meeting in Peru. The pair got to know one another at Apec over the years through "pull-aside" meetings during conference sessions and informal chats at the leaders' retreats. They really hit it off when Clark visited Washington in April last year. Under Clark, New Zealand stayed out of the Iraq war. However, the continuing contribution of military personnel to Afghanistan has been much appreciated by the outgoing Administration.
Tuesday
The ugly news from the Treasury concerning the rapidly deteriorating government accounts comes in the same week as the release of the Prime Minister's Department's briefing papers which provide more detail on the $47.4 million renovation of the rapidly deteriorating Government House in Wellington. That's right. More than 47 million smackeroos are going to be spent doing up the place. It is a heritage building, tiles have been falling off the roof and no-one begrudges that the Governor-General be suitably housed or that his staff be adequately accommodated. But $47 million worth? The restoration work on the 98-year-old building and grounds was approved in May when most people probably thought the words "international credit crunch" referred to a muesli bar. Well, a breakdown of costs in the briefing papers to the incoming Prime Minister reads like this. Some $17.4 million is being spent on the repair or replacement of roads, paths, gutters, sewage and stormwater pipes, collection of rainwater for recycling; reconfigured circulation to the main entry, creating disabled access points to the house, a new carpark and a visitor centre, utility building and garage, a garden shelter and toilets.
Next is the structural work on the house - foundations and basement service trench, earthquake strengthening of roof, walls and a reconstructed attic area following asbestos removal.
That adds another $4.2 million. Next comes the finishing work to walls, partitions, doors, floors and ceilings plus curtains and blinds, furniture and appliances. Add another $6.85 million.
Then there are the energy-efficient boilers, heat pumps, solar water heating, electrical work, plumbing, security equipment, kitchen fit-out, IT provision, drains and fire protection. A further $10.5 million.
Last, there is something listed as "building fabric" - walls, roof and windows. That's another $7.85 million.
The Cabinet's razor gang might ponder the positive political symbolism of starting its work at the top. Or does the renovation qualify as infrastructure spending?
Thursday
A Christmas item. Speaking in Parliament's adjournment debate, National's Gerry Brownlee pays tribute to Helen Clark and Michael Cullen, ending by wishing the pair season's greetings and the best for the new year."What about the rest of us?" Labour's Darren Hughes asks. Brownlee - more Santa-esque than elf - begins to tell "Daz" what he can expect: "I notice that honourable member has been a very good fellow throughout the year and I'm sure on the 25th of December when he wakes up in the morning, goes down and looks under the Christmas tree ..." Hughes finishes the sentence for him "... you will have eaten all the chocolates." There is prolonged hilarity before Brownlee gets in his comeback against his younger adversary: "I was simply going to say I am quite confident Santa Claus would have brought him another pair of long pants."
Friday
The Diary's spies tell us that Taranaki police officers are chortling after Defence Minister Wayne Mapp had a "don't-you-know-who-I-am" moment after happening upon a car accident. Mapp got out of his car and approached a member of the constabulary to tell him ever so helpfully that he hadn't seen anything. The officer said thanks very much and waved Mapp on his way. Mapp returned, handing over his business card indicating who he was. Quite why, we are not sure. Even if he had been Barack Obama, it would not have made any difference as Mapp had not seen the accident.
- compiled by John Armstrong