Foreign Minister Winston Peters has welcomed the replacement of former Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard as New Zealand’s Ambassador to Ireland, slamming the appointment as a prime example of Labour’s misguided cronyism.
In a statement on Tuesday at 1pm, Peters announced Angela Hassan-Sharp as Mallard’s successor, signaling a return to merit-based diplomacy.
Peters didn’t mince words when asked about Mallard’s exit, quipping, “You know that famous song from the Seekers? Carnival’s over.” He confirmed Mallard is “coming home and he’s coming home early,” hinting at deeper reasons for the recall. “Yes, I do,” Peters responded when pressed on his rationale, before launching into a scathing critique of Labour’s habit of parachuting politicians into critical diplomatic roles.
Peters has long opposed politicians taking diplomatic posts, declaring, “I’m saying, that we should not be having politicians in diplomatic jobs, full stop. I’ve opposed it in all my career, and soon I’ll have corrected it for a third time.”
His disdain for Mallard’s appointment was evident as he recalled Labour’s decision to send him to Ireland despite his controversial track record. “I cannot believe that Jacinda Ardern sent somebody like him after the way he behaved with respect to the protesters out here, turning up the noise, putting cold water over young children at night. This is a disgrace, and you guys should have been calling it out, not me,” Peters told reporters.
Mallard’s tenure as Speaker was marred by his heavy-handed response to the 2022 Parliament protest, where he infamously ordered sprinklers turned on demonstrators and had music blared at night, actions widely criticized as petty and excessive.
Peters, who was trespassed from Parliament grounds by Mallard during the protest, later sought a judicial review. Mallard admitted in the High Court that the trespass notice was “unreasonable and irrational,” a move Speaker Adrian Rurawhe later apologized for on Mallard’s behalf when he resigned to take up the ambassadorial role.
Conservative commentator Elliot Ikilei supported Peters’ announcement stating:
“Trevor Mallard’s time as Speaker was disgraceful.
He erased Jesus from Parliament’s prayer, cost taxpayers $330,000 over a false rape accusation, and used torture-style tactics against freedom protesters—blaring music, flooding lawns, and calling peaceful Kiwis “ferals,” despite police objections.
He’s left a shameful legacy of mistrust in public institutions and sits with the Ardern government for record levels of incompetence and division.
He was the worst speaker in New Zealand history”
Ikilei opposed Mallard’s appointment and has maintained a consistent level of transparency in reporting on the controversial ex-Speaker, calling out his successful attack on Jesus’ name in the previously untouched Parliament prayer, and keeping the public updated on his various decision-making.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade declined to comment on the reasons for Mallard’s early departure or confirm the expected end date of his term. Mallard himself, when contacted by RNZ, had no comment.
For conservatives, Mallard’s recall is a long-overdue correction of Labour’s reckless appointments, reinforcing the need for experienced professionals, not political mates, in roles that shape New Zealand’s international reputation.
Peters’ move to replace Mallard with a career diplomat sends a clear message: competence must trump connections.
