And so it passed, that the population of Aotearoa (I’ll use that whilst I still can) decreed that we should have a centre right leader, one who is likely to have his puppet strings pulled by the neo-lib Act cult.
Where did it all go wrong? This article provides the views of several commentators on the left, and to be fair, they pretty much aligned with my views, that Labour was far to centralist. There was a lack of inspiration on the left, with a campaign that relied on ‘here’s what you’re going lose’, rather than explaining why inflation is high. Instead of pointing out there’s a bloody big war in the Ukraine that has pushed up prices, the feeble ‘GST of fruit and vegetables’ was offered as a cost saving. Unfortunately, nobody told those on low incomes that the Nats want to bring back 90-day agreements, want to abolish fair pay negotiations, and largely union bust. If you were aware that your employment rights were about to be removed, you would think more about the need to vote.
Both Te Pati Māori and the Greens offered far more traditional positions on what the real issues are in Aotearoa - inequity; regrettably both National and Act appealed to the lowest common denominator, the low hanging fruit that they always go to - tackle the gangs, build more roads, reduce tax, and of course, do away with anything Māori.
Amongst the first to go will be Te Aka Whai Ora, or for those who don’t know, the Māori Health Authority. Rather than being a separatist system, the intent of this organisation was to support the health of a group of people who, through pretty much no fault of their own, die on average 10 years younger than everyone else. Of course, those on the right can cling to the frequently repeated views of ‘poor diet’, ‘poor lifestyles’, ‘being lazy’, etc. - the low hanging fruit is easy to grab, especially when the environment they live in creates their situation, rather than this being something of their own making. And then we have potential political partners wanting to abolish the Treaty of Waitangi - what next, a referendum like Australia? Let’s set back relationships by say 50, or was that 100 years? Rob Campbell explains the risks of killing off Te Aka Whai Ora here.
And then there’s the cancellation of Te Pukenga, the merger of the Polytechnics; lest we forget that was a National policy, introduced by a certain Steven Joyce, now a leading commentator in the press, despite being a failed finance minister who never had the country in surplus; to be fair, it is hard getting the government books in the black when you give away taxes to the rich. He experimented with the very place I worked, whilst experimenting with a different model in Wellington. The man who sowed the seeds now sprays Roundup on the crop.
So what of this guy?
Will he be more famous (?infamous) for the ‘Spread your legs’ moment, or for sailing Labour off a cliff? For me, the latter is the telling one; a year ago I would have said Kiri Allan was the leader in waiting, sadly she was let down and was possibly a victim of her own making, thrust into too many roles with too little support. Grant Robertson said no, so who is waiting in the wings to really lead any opposition? Chloe Swarbrick offers far more fight than many of those within the Labour ranks.
Time will tell; feel free to share your thoughts.
My thoughts are that;
Chloe Swarbrick is the worst possible outcome for NZ, a lot of rhetoric, no substance, communist, eugenicist, not a green bone in her body, easily influenced by those she's around who are all of the above. Arrogant to boot (arrogance could be justified but not if you're also an idiot).
Te Pati Māori - morons, not good for Maori or anybody else. Their only decent MP has been gone for two terms now. Clowns now prevail.
Labour is gone, hopefully for good, for what they did on behalf of the eugenicists and the pharmaceutical companies. I don't think that you're showing any signs at all of understanding just how much the country hates (still) Ardern. Maybe you should ask why she recently was seen in a hairdressers in Hastings with a mask, is she afraid of being recognized? Or do you think that she believes in covid (LOL)?
The Waitangi Treaty is nothing more than an agreement for the Common Law of England under the protection of the English Crown (then represented by Queen Victoria) to prevail. Mostly to be bring some clarity to property rights and the sale or purchase of land. It also made us all British Citizens which seems to have been annulled in 1948. So in my view the Waitangi Treaty has also been annulled. But it certainly is not what it is imagined to be by the deluded left.
Chris Hipkins? Grant Robertson? Morons.
Kiri Allen? An even bigger moron. How did a member of the Urewera crowd ever get to that position in an Ardern Government no less (Jacinda's father was amongst those police who shut down those clowns). A drink driving escapade where she abused police was completely in character. In fact maybe have a read of the police transcripts from Urewera and then wonder yourself how you ever supported her.
The Nats & ACT? What the hell did you expect after the last 4 years? That NZ would continue with such shit? Never voted for either myself, only Labour & Greens but never again. Not unless they get rid of their rot.