TVNZ getting best of both worlds

By Lousia Cleave

It is the 1992 Tamaki byelection, and National Party maestro Dr Ross Armstrong has passed on secret voter information to Labour's deputy leader, Helen Clark.

Dr Armstrong was running the campaign of Clem Simich - who won the byelection - and the then-newcomer Alliance party was picking up steam.

The canvassing data showing Labour where its core support lay was a gift and later, under fire from his own party masters, Dr Armstrong defended the move as "strategic cooperation."

Fast forward eight years and the pair who were once at opposite ends of the political spectrum are sharing a corporate box at Eden Park watching Australia demolish New Zealand in a one-day cricket match.

The Prime Minister yesterday announced that the former National Party senior official will be the new chairman of Television New Zealand, charged with giving the troubled SOE a new public service focus.

As chairman of New Zealand Post, a position he will retain, Dr Armstrong pushed for privatising part of the service in the name of "popular capitalism."

So is his appointment - considering former allegiances - surprising?

No, say his friends and supporters. They say Dr Armstrong has always been able to mix with both worlds and has friends in the Labour Party, including Jonathan Hunt, going back to university days.

It is widely known that Dr Armstrong has always admired Helen Clark's intellect, and they share a love of classical music.

He is admired and derided for his ability to mix in National and Labour circles.

One former colleague yesterday described him as a chameleon - able to change his colours depending on the climate.

He said Dr Armstrong would have no difficulty following the Labour line because he could easily shift from being right wing to a middle-of-the-road position.

"He has vacillated between a very strong far right-wing stance, particularly in things like the selling of New Zealand Post, and a more moderate stance which he has held at other times.

"It obviously depends on the climate so he would have no difficulty in following the Labour line, even if it is against his former National allegiances.

"People in Government must perceive he's done a good job at New Zealand Post.

"That surprises me a little, because he's been the one that's been trying to sell the thing, so it's a bit puzzling why the Labour Party appointed him."

Dr Armstrong believes his new appointment has come because of his record at New Zealand Post, which has become known for its focus on service as much as profit-making.

"I don't think the National Party was a plus or minus in this process," Dr Armstrong said. "I haven't been involved with the party in 10 years. Much more relevant has been the performance of New Zealand Post.

"This epitomises the way this new Government is thinking in making an appointment like this."

In other words, he is the best man for the job.

Professor Barry Gustafson, political historian and a close friend of Dr Armstrong for 40 years, agrees.

"He's very much a liberal with a small 'l' - not new right, middle-of-the-road free market but with a very strong social conscience and a very strong sense of community," said Professor Gustafson. Dr Armstrong was "probably one of the most successful organisational figures in the history of the National Party."

"New Zealand Post is one of our success stories," Professor Gustafson said. "It has expanded all over the world, advising people with its model, and [Dr Armstrong] has kept the spirit of community service, providing a social service, as well as making a profit ...

"I think that's what appeals to the Government."

Born in Devonport - and now living nearby in one of Takapuna's most exclusive streets - Dr Armstrong originally considered a life in the church.

But the business world had more appeal than becoming an Anglican minister, although it is said he carries his Christian principles to this day.

After completing a BA in mathematics and philosophy, then a masters degree in philosophy, he went to Northern Ireland where he studied for his doctorate on natural law at Queens University in Belfast.

His thesis reopened the Nuremberg trial casebook with his argument that the Nazi war crimes hearing rested on the foundations of natural law. His work became an important source document in European universities.

On his return to New Zealand, Dr Armstrong started his business career with the Kerridge Odeon Corporation, managing the hydrofoil Manu-Wai passenger ferry service to Pakatoa Island.

In 1967, he set up a one-man fish exporting firm, a successful business which he still runs today.

Observers say he is a self-effacing man who never has a bad word for anyone. He likes everybody, political friend or foe.

"He doesn't strike you as a businessman," said one. "He's warm, generous, jovial, a roly-poly fellow who loves to talk politics."

Dr Armstrong's political life with National started in the mid-1970s on the North Shore.

He ran George Gair's North Shore electorate for five years from 1980, and became a member of the party's national executive in 1983.

In 1985, he was elected chairman of the National Party in Auckland and held the job for six years, earning a reputation as a hands-on worker and sometimes a ruthless chief. He made a tactical error in backing sitting National Party president Neville Young over challenger John Collinge in 1989 but, perhaps not unsurprisingly, was the first to extend an olive branch to the new president.

John Slater, who took over Dr Armstrong's role as the Auckland head of the party, and is now its national president, said from Australia yesterday that he expected Dr Armstrong would do a fine job at TVNZ.

"He works closely with people and is oriented towards reaching objectives.

"He is going to have a challenge to settle them down [at TVNZ] and I believe he has the skills to meet that challenge."