David Shearer on politics and peacekeeping

From Saturday Morning, 8:10 am on 17 December 2016
David Shearer in Iraq

David Shearer, with his bodyguard Peni, in Iraq. Photo: Supplied

Labour MP David Shearer had a meteoric rise in politics – spending barely two and a half years as an MP before becoming leader of the party in 2011.

Less than two years later he stood down, saying he didn’t think he had the full confidence of his caucus.

This year, Shearer is resigning from parliament and returning to UN peacekeeping, for which he’d earned a stellar reputation before entering politics.

This year he is leading a UN mission to South Sudan.

He spoke with Kim Hill about politics and peacekeeping.