Talking points 12 months from N.Z. 2026 election
The performance of Minister of Finance Nicola Willis is a talking point. (Credit: Reece Baker/RNZ)The disgruntlement is clear to hear. When editors like Luke Malpass and columnists Damien Grant are talking about a centre-right coalition being in trouble, it most probably is. When talk back radio hosts – Mike Hosking of all people – believe something is wrong with National and the Government it is leading, it is safe to say there is a problem.
And yet, here we are. Those who, under former Prime Minister John Key, would have been good in terms of their support for him for another few years, are actively writing cautionary columns. How did, in just two years, a National-led Government go from promising to get N.Z. back on track, to being an uncoordinated mess that its most ardent supporters are worried about?
When the Coalition is so bad that it appears to be wanting the Opposition bench, what is it doing in Government? The list of blunders is too long to list in full, but here are a few of the things that are backing for this Government:
- The economy – a recession, a mass exodus to Australia of our best workers
- Health – aborted projects, a slash and burn of background workers who ensure operations can happen, infrastructure can work
- Infrastructure – the reprioritising of funds that had been allocated for essential projects such as improved rail in the South Island, schools, hospitals to road projects
- Housing – hundreds of abandoned projects around the country, with no clear plan on how they might be revived despite New Zealand needing the housing
- Social welfare – slashing and burning benefits, unnecessary tightening of rules, trying to force people who cannot work to get jobs
- Environment – abandoning the R.M.A, fast tracking projects, opening up conservation lands, slashing support for protecting endangered species and their habitats
- Assault on democracy – a record number of Acts of Parliament being passed with a shortened public hearings/submissions phase or none at all; attempts to remove Maori seats from politics
- Undoing te ao Maori – the removal of the language in New Zealand schools, public places
And then there is a second set of talking points about the Government approach to governing the country. They include:
- Out of touch – the Prime Minister has been criticized across the board for his lack of common touch with New Zealanders
- Ministers, including Shane Jones, are loose cannons actively attacking sections of New Zealand society they don’t like in coarse language one generally wouldn’t expect a Minister to use
- The lies – right from Day 1, Ministers have been caught out trying to hide the extent of their connections to donors, lobbyists, or simply claiming to know when they did not about particular aspects of their portfolios
What makes Mr Luxon worse, is the rhetoric that goes with some of his answers when journalists point out his short comings. Contradictions and commentary that will backfire, are increasingly frequent. His most infamous comment: “I’m rich and I’m sorted”, came across in an almost rubbing-it-in manner. It was made after the sale of one of his then 7 properties. It did not sit at all well with the many New Zealanders struggling to afford basic necessities.
But, it is the lies that have been uttered by Ministers with no consequences, that are doing the most damage. Just 26 minutes before fronting the media in 2024, Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, told Hyundai Mipo Dockyard executives via text message that the ferry contract would not proceed. The manner in which they were informed was bad enough. Then came the justification that getting the same ferries in 2029 and for 40% higher cost, would be better.
Another example, from 2024, is Minister for Oranga Tamariki, Karen Chhour being found to have ignored official advice, not to establish youth offender categories. Instead Oranga Tamariki recommended a non-legislative approach that would work across a broader cross section of offenders. It would also be effective with the target group. Ms Chhour and her Ministerial officials claimed to know better.
And now, today – despite the weather forecast – New Zealand will be at the closest it has been to a general strike for sometime. Over 100,000 medical and education professionals will be off work to protest for better conditions. This is despite Orwellian rhetoric from Minister of Health Simeon Brown, talkings down from Minister of Education Erica Stanford and Public Service Minister Judith Collins.
12 months out from the 2026 election, it is clear that there is much wrong with the Government. This is both in terms of its policies and how it handles public duties. But this is a Government where the right and left hands do not know what the other is doing. Is it capable of acknowledging its break down?
And the subsequent consequences?
That might be another talking point before too long.
#Employment #Nzeconomy #NZGovernment #Nzpol
