Sources close to WCC Watch have suggested that Prime Minister John Key wants to appoint a woman as next Governor-General, and Kerry Prendergast is high on his list. Since MMP GGs have been judges but the word is that Key wants someone unorthodox too. The next GG would start work in early 2011. A decision is close.
Back in August the Herald reported:
Prime Minister John Key is about to consider who the next Governor-General will be. And the word is he may buck the recent trend of appointing a former judge and opt for someone more unorthodox to the role.
Some of the names being tossed around by observers include Sir Don McKinnon, Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast and arts Patron Dame Jenny Gibbs.
Property investor Sir Robert Jones said the Governor-General should be a New Zealander who was not a token appointment.
He said Kerry Prendergast would “be wonderful at the job”.
Kerry would make an interesting choice with her close links to major Chinese cities and attempts at panda diplomacy.
But some commentatiors aren’t so supportive. David Farrar thinks:
While there would be precedent for Kerry to be given the job, as Cath Tizard was, I still maintain that Kerry’s National Party background makes her a sub-optimal appointment.
What would a Kerry appointment mean for the mayoralty next year and wouldn’t voting for her now be a wasted vote, if someone else is going to do the job anyway.
Section 117(5) of the Local Government Act says if the mayor’s position is vacated, the council elects a member to become mayor. The last time this happened was in 2007 when the Mayor of Hamilton Michael Redman resigned to become CEO of Hamilton City – realising that as Chief Executive he had more power, and got paid $400k rather than $150k. In that case Deputy Mayor, Bob Simcock was chosen as Mayor.
What would the polls in Wellington say if it was Ian McKinnon v Celia Wade-Brown?
The Republican Movement have written recommending a list of names including Jeanette Fitzsimons. One thinks Key is more blue than green.
WCC Watch 
Interesting article… what is there to back these rumours?
I wonder whether Key + Henry consider her a ‘real NZer’?