The Herald reports that Education Minister Steve Maharey is resigning from Cabinet to take over as VC of Massey University. It's a shame - Maharey is an able Minister - but the government's loss is Massey's gain. OTOH, this does mean he lied to Chaff several months ago.
Since the government is desperate to avoid a by-election, he'll be hanging around as a backbencher for a while. After that, it seems there'll be a vacancy for a Labour MP in Palmerston North. I wonder whether recently ousted mayor Red Heather will stand?
