It’s that time of the year where we pick our politician of the year. 

For me, it's the same person as last year. 

Political commentators, myself included at times, have an unfortunate tendency to sometimes choose politicians because they’re good at playing the political game. 

And if you’re into that, you might pick Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke for collecting her Time magazine award. 

Or Chris Hipkins for resurrecting his party’s fortunes from a horror 2023 election result. 

Or Labour’s Arena Williams for giving good speeches, or Shane Jones for getting attention. 

But at a time when we all acknowledge our country is in a bit of a polycrisis, slipping further behind the pack, I think the most important measure is not whether a politician is good at politics, it's whether a politician is making a difference. 

And no other politician is making as big a difference as quickly, in an area as important, as Erica Stanford. 

Already kids are learning more than they have been for years. The results from her phonics changes a couple of months ago were so dramatic a staff member in her office burst into tears. 

She’s doing this despite increased resistance from teachers' unions. 

Parents are raving and teachers themselves are noticing the difference. 

Nothing is more important than our kids and educating them properly. 

And on the politics, she can play politics as well as anyone. You watch closely as her opponents learn that lesson. 

Just ask Willow-Jean Prime. 

So, Erica Stanford it is. 

Because nothing beats having a good idea, being brave enough to execute it and helping to turn this country around. 

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