Grant Robertson: Why he’s leaving politics, and why he never became PM

Tuesday, 20 February 2024

• Grant Robertson will retire from politics in March, to lead the University of Otago.

• Robertson’s former colleagues and bosses have paid tribute to his 15 years as an MP, and decades in politics.

• Robertson will be the first Otago University vice-chancellor who enters the role without a background in academia.

It was a tough day for Labour leader Chris Hipkins.

After months of speculation that Grant Robertson would be leaving Wellington to become vice-chancellor of Otago University, the former deputy prime minister’s move was finally confirmed on Tuesday. He will resign from Parliament in late March, take a few months off, and then start a hugely powerful job leading the country’s oldest university.

He is leaving behind a 15-year career as a parliamentarian, which saw him serve six years as one of the most powerful people in Government. He was finance minister and then deputy prime minister to Jacinda Ardern.

His imminent departure also marks the ending of an era for the Labour Party.

Hipkins is the last standing from the tight-knit trio that rose through Labour’s ranks as staffers and then leaders.

Marian Hobbs, a minister in the Helen Clark-led Labour Government, says it was clear from early on that a number of staff in Clark’s office were destined for big things. Of them, Hobbs says three friends, Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson and Chris Hipkins, were clearly on the way towards leading Government.

The only shame, Hobbs says, is that all three didn’t get to serve as prime minister.

Robertson stood twice to be leader of the Labour Party. He threw his hat in the ring following David Shearer’s resignation in 2013, and David Cunliffe in 2014. In both contests, he was a popular choice amongst Labour’s caucus.

After announcing his plan to leave Parliament, Robertson looked back at that missed opportunity: “Once I hadn't succeeded the second time I actually did put that out of my mind,” he said.

“I was sad at the time, but I got over it.”

There was a third opportunity. Before Ardern announced her resignation in January, 2023, Robertson was asked if he would take over as prime minister. He no longer wanted the job.

Hobbs said he had good reason not to take on the top job. “He was exhausted.”

Robertson continued as one of Labour’s most recognised and high performing MPs, during its last days in Government and from the Opposition benches. He has done so through ailing health, with back troubles that became increasingly painful.

While many encouraged him to go for the job as prime minister, Hobbs said it was an unrealistic ask.

'You couldn't ask him to serve another 12 or 15 years,“ she said. It would be three or six years in Opposition, then another six or nine years as prime minister - all going to plan.

On Tuesday, Hipkins declared he was “energised” for the role while unmistakably crestfallen as he discussed Robertson’s departure. He said he was one of his best friends, and was sad they would no longer work together.

'In many of the significant events that have happened in my life outside of work, Grant has been… one of the people who I've spoken to,“ Hipkins said.

Ardern also thanked Robertson, saying he had been the reason she made it to Parliament to start with. When they were trying to enter Parliament at the 2008 election, he refused to be ranked higher than Ardern on the Labour list.

Ardern recalled, “Grant stood up and announced to the room ‘I don’t wish to be ranked, until Jacinda Ardern is.’ That story says so much about who Grant is. He is selfless, thoughtful, incredibly intelligent, fiercely loyal.”

Robertson’s start in politics

Robertson served 15 years in Parliament, but dived head first into politics as the president of the Otago University Students Association in 1993. At the time, students were facing rapidly rising fees and Robertson led massive protests in response. One of those protests saw him be arrested with 12 other protesters on Union Lawn, but he likes to point out that he was never charged.

Hobbs met him in 1996, when he was the co-president of the New Zealand Union of Students Associations (NZUSA). From there, he started a brief career in diplomacy - including a posting to the United Nations in New York.

But a few years later, he was back in Wellington after a plea from Hobbs. As the minister for the environment, during the genetic engineering scandals, and broadcasting - “a terrible role” - she was struggling in the spotlight. She asked Robertson to join her office as an advisor, where his question time coaching paid dividends.

Once her confidence was boosted, Robertson went on to push Clark and then finance minister Michael Cullen for interest free student loans. Hobbs says there were a few “arguments” or “heated discussions” between Cullen and Robertson, which eventually led to Labour campaigning on the issue at 2005’s election. Hobbs credits the policy with helping Labour win its third term.

Clark snapped Robertson from Hobbs’ office, but she remain close friends with him to this day.

In Government

Robertson said pandemic had been the most challenging, rewarding and difficult time of his career.

“I’m proud that we saved lives and we also saved livelihoods. The work we did getting the wage subsidy out and other supports kept unemployment low,” he said.

He said supporting Ardern as prime minister had been one of his greatest achievements. Insiders say the two sometimes operated as an almost co-leader situation, working with each other through days and night to chew over key issues.

The riot on Parliament lawn which followed was the low point of his career. As the MP for Wellington, he said it hit hard as the capital spent weeks with a volatile occupation at its heart.

Back to Otago

Robertson’s from Dunedin and studied at Otago University.

His return to the city would bring him closer to his mother, Yvonne, who is in her 80s.

Robertson would become Otago University’s first vice-chancellor who has not entered the role through academia.

The job, as the university’s leader and chief executive, came with an annual salary of $629,000 - which could include accommodation at the “University Lodge”.

Both faculty and students at Otago welcomed Robertson’s appointment.

OUSA president Keegan Wells told Stuff that the student body was 'absolutely excited and delighted' to see him step into the role.

He would arrive at a university facing its own financial issues. There have been ongoing course cuts and layoffs, as the university looks to save tens of millions of dollars.

Wells said it was good to see Otago appointing the first non-academic vice-chancellor to the role, calling it “an exciting time” for the university.

Some lecturers were also optimistic about Robertson’s appointment. Professor Michael Baker told Stuff it was an “excellent” decision.

– additional reporting, Hamish McNeilly.