What?

We are astounded by the decision of Auckland University to confer an honorary doctorate on Helen Clark. It's not the honour itself that grates (even though Helen Clark seems to have a particular aversion to honours) but the nature of it. We'll let the Herald explain:

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has been awarded an honorary doctorate.

The degree, from the University of Auckland, is a Doctor of Laws.

Are they taking the mickey? Laws?? Sadly, we think not - read on:

Chancellor Roger France said in a written statement that the degree recognised Helen Clark's "enormous contribution to New Zealand and on the international stage".

"Helen Clark had made a mark nationally and internationally in a way that few leaders can aspire to.

A Doctor of Laws though? Let's not forget, this is the woman behind Paintergate and Speedgate, the woman whose party stole $800k from the taxpayer to win the 2005 election, whose party rammed though retrospective legislation to legitimise their actions. This is the woman who whose government severed links to the Privy Council with no consultation. This is the woman who used hate speech to vilify a religious group, and the woman who foistered the reviled Electoral Finance Act on us - a piece of legislation described even by the Human Rights Commission, hardly an ally of then-opposition parties as "a dramatic assault on freedom of expression and the right to participate in an election".

Doubtless other readers will have their own views, and we'd love to hear them. Had the honorary doctorate been in some area of social science we would not have had a problem with it, but we do not believe that "Helen Clark" and "Laws" are compatible terms.