I agree, Rod, a PM for our times and, hurrah, our industry.

(gush)

Re the Ipod comment. Given that the previous PM had no idea who Johnny Farnham was, I wouldn’t even give this cringeworthy status.

If Steven Joyce or Maurice Williamson had made the comment it would be a different matter, but this guy is big picture personified, and I’m sure it was only Rod and a few others in the IT game who even picked up the anomalies. How schooled up is John on Xero? Now that’s a question I’d like to know!

1. He has a sense of humour and importantly his self depreciating style will resonate with kiwi’s. It’s important especially for a Tory party that they reach out across all of New Zealand and not be elitist. In part 2 he talks passionately about important things like broadband and what is happening internationally. The iPod story was particularly relevant to the KEA event.
2. He is unscripted. He is comfortable enough to just talk.
3. He is making business OK. We all want better schools and hospitals but JK is making clear the importance of growing great business so that we can pay for the social services we need.
4. He is not afraid to take a stand. JK is one of the few leaders to talk against the Obama spend up program.
5. He is inclusive. The Helen Clark congratulations was genuine and much appreciated.
5. He is accessible.

I’ve seen JK live twice in the past couple of weeks and most people at those events have come away very impressed. I really think positive leadership is important and I believe he really is making a positive difference and creating the right sort of culture for New Zealand to be successful.

He should have used the story of a Wellington start-up that is taking on the world with it’s online accounting system… Not only would it be easier for him to get his facts right, but it actually is quite a remarkable story.

If this was the speech of a local high school principal at the end-of-year prize giving I would be impressed. But the ‘leader’ of our nation?