Smalley’s potential new role – nothing is yet confirmed – is understood to be separate from potential replacements for chief press secretary Hamish Rutherford, whose resignation was confirmed on Wednesday morning, several hours after Media Insider revealed he was planning to leave the role.
Rutherford’s departure by the end of the year – and deputy chief press secretary Jasmine Higginson’s upcoming maternity leave – will lead to a major reshaping of Luxon’s communications team.
The head of communications role is seen as a strategic role, likely overseeing all of the Beehive communications, press secretaries and communications strategy. The chief press secretary role is much more operationally aligned to Luxon. Depending on how the structure works, both roles could report to the chief of staff, or one might report to the other.
Other outside names in the mix for either of the roles could include former TVNZ political editor Jessica Mutch McKay, Air New Zealand head of communications Rachel Morton – she is also a former director of communications for the Act party – and The Post political editor Luke Malpass.
Within National’s ranks, Higginson is a potential candidate for the chief press secretary role, as is Mikaela Bossley, who works for Christopher Bishop.
Act leader David Seymour’s director of communications, Simon Clarke, and former National Party press secretary Finn Stichbury, who has been working for the broader party, might also be considerations.
NZ Herald
Face of the Day
Rutherford’s departure by the end of the year – and deputy chief press secretary Jasmine Higginson’s upcoming maternity leave – will lead to a major reshaping of Luxon’s communications team.
Related
Face of the Day
Gisborne construction worker Tim Morris, 37, was driving with a friend about 1am on Saturday when he spotted a house ablaze on Aberdeen Rd. The pair quickly pulled over and braved thick smoke to haul an 89-year-old man to safety through a broken window.
Face of the Day
‘I can say quite honestly, they’re not in the league of the best I’ve seen’ – Winston Peters
Face of the Day
Gifford became one of the country’s most recognisable sporting voices, but for generations of Christchurch listeners he was equally well known as one half of a hugely successful radio partnership with Simon Barnett.
Face of the Day
His whānau described Rurawhe as a pillar of their family and acknowledged his deep connection to the Rātana faith and its legacy.
Latest
MAD and the Lessons of Berlin and Cuba
The deployment of a navy nuclear armed sea-launched cruise missile is an added theater capability that can deliver deterrence and help keep the peace. It is supported by the US Navy and funded by Congress.
The Culture of Death Is Looking to Expand
For only 12 grand, you can pass in the comfort of your own home in one seamless business transaction.
When a Cycleway Makes Your Builder Think Twice
If we are going to spend substantial sums of public money and permanently alter the way people live, work, shop, visit one another and move around their city, we should have the evidence to demonstrate that the promised benefits are actually being delivered.