As is the case in all walks of life, there are always one or two people who seem to excel in this field — the usual suspects, you might say.
Perhaps it is the sudden elevation to the hallowed precincts of Parliament, and all its myriad perquisites and baubles, which feeds that self-importance? Or it could be bluff and braggadocio born from a deep-seated lack of confidence and the need to look like you are comfortable and in control.
Whichever it is, taking on the judiciary by scoring a few cheap points to lift your profile is a stunning breach of behaviour for a Cabinet minister. At a time when conspiracy theories abound and some have difficulty filtering out reality from fiction, we especially do not need the independence of judges being brought into question by those who should know better.
The latest case, involving New Zealand First MP and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones calling Justice Cheryl Gwyn a "communist judge", prompted the New Zealand Bar Association to issue a statement saying such comments were a step too far.
Questioned by Tova O’Brien over what he meant by that, Mr Jones replied: "I can’t remember the context of what I said. It’s political rhetoric."
The Bar Association has taken issue with that, saying such comments cannot be simply explained away as rhetoric when ministers are bound by the Cabinet Manual not to express any views which cast doubt on judges’ impartiality.
We have no difficulty believing Mr Jones’ excuse of political rhetoric. After all, 99% of what he says is rhetoric.
We do not need a country in which confidence in the judiciary is undermined by this kind of bluster. It is even more unfair as the judiciary is not allowed to fight back.
This is the second time this year Mr Jones has criticised the judiciary, something Act New Zealand leader David Seymour has also done.
Barging in
Can there be any sadder sight than a whale beached high up on the shore?
Coming close, although not tugging quite so strongly on the emotions, is the spectacle of a sea-going vessel stuck high-and-dry hundreds of metres from the lapping waves.
Hundreds of Buller residents went to see an unexpected visitor on the lengthy expanses of Carters Beach on Sunday. During a heavy thunderstorm the previous night, the Westland Mineral Sands barge Manahau somehow ended up dragging its anchors and ungraciously parking its 97.5m-long, 3706-tonne bulk on the beach.
When it began operating a couple of weeks ago, the vessel was held up by Resources Minister Shane Jones as an example of what success in opening New Zealand up to more prospecting and mining looks like. Unfortunately, with the barge sitting marooned on the sandy shore and surrounded by curious locals, that puffery looks rather embarrassing now.
The Manahau was, ironically, carrying mineral sands from just down the road at Cape Foulwind, and had been anchored off Westport for nearly a week trying to find a slot of good weather before coming into port.
Luckily none of the 11 crew members on the Niue-flagged barge was hurt, and there have been no environmental repercussions. But it does have 100,000 litres of diesel on board, which will further complicate the tricky task of refloating it.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission has now opened an inquiry into the grounding while plans continue for shifting the vessel.
Maritime NZ is not commenting while an investigation is under way. But the Maritime Union has repeated earlier concerns that it did not have experienced New Zealand seafarers on board with knowledge and experience of tricky local conditions.
It is a good reminder to the industry, the government and Mr Jones that the unexpected can and does happen, and that a mockery can easily be made of glib, unfounded statements of success.
