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 - … Continue reading Talking points 12 months from N.Z. 2026 election
An uninspired election: the New Zealand local Government elections 2025
Voting for the 2025 local Government elections closed at the weekend. (The Press) "If you don't bother voting, you can't have your grumbling rights for the next 3 years" It is Wednesday 15 October, and the dust is settling on the 2025 local government election outcome. In an election cycle that turned out the lowest … Continue reading An uninspired election: the New Zealand local Government elections 2025
Easing the political rhetoric in Aotearoa New Zealand
Earlier this week the home Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters was attacked by vandals. A crowbar was used to smash a window which showered broken glass into the house, onto the family dog and cut his partner. THERE IS NO PLACE IN NEW ZEALAND FOR POLITICAL VIOLENCE OF ANY KIND. If I sound angry, … Continue reading Easing the political rhetoric in Aotearoa New Zealand
New Zealand Coalition Government: Polling Woes and Voter Sentiment
The Coalition Government leaders. 20 months in, the polls are not promising. With a bit more than a year before Parliament goes into election mode for 2026, a new poll is out for the Government. And it is not good news. Rare it is though for a Government in New Zealand to be so unpopular … Continue reading New Zealand Coalition Government: Polling Woes and Voter Sentiment
Assessing the 2025 local government election campaigns
In Auckland, after an extremely turbulent start highlighted by the shambolic response to the Anniversary Day floods in January 2023, Mayor Wayne Brown looks like being re-elected. Following the damaging Cyclone Gabrielle, which followed a month after the Anniversary Floods, the pressure on Mr Brown, his Deputy Desley Simpson and the Auckland Council was understandably … Continue reading Assessing the 2025 local government election campaigns
Leftist Kiwi Writes 