Hipkins gets huffy about “hermit” remark while the PM communicates with the UN General Assembly via Zoom

The Minister in charge of the country’s Covid-19 response, Chris Hipkins, was wrong to say former PM John Key’s description of New Zealand as a “smug hermit kingdom” is an insult to New Zealanders.

The Point of Order team  – for starters – are much more inclined to weigh the merits of what Key said in a newspaper column than feel insulted, take offence, or complain about racism, as too many people do nowadays rather than engage in a robust discussion.

Key’s column set out five suggested strategies to get vaccination rates up and end a reliance on managed isolation at the border.

Hipkins said these are generally already being enacted or looked at.

But he bridled at being reminded about our closed borders:

At last, our foreign affairs minister will venture overseas – she’s got a ticket to Dubai to promote indigenous and tribal economies

Excitement is mounting in the Beehive.  Foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta is contemplating her first overseas visit.

Not, we might think, to Australia or the Pacific Islands.  No, this is further afield, to Dubai, no less, for Expo 2020 in November.

Not much chance to hold bilateral chats with other foreign ministers there but a chance to display substantial Maori content at the New Zealand Pavilion.  

The minister is quoted in an enthusiastic release from trade officials: