Steven Mark Gaskell: The return of the Alliance Party

Just when you thought New Zealand’s political stage had reached peak saturation with virtue signalling and utopian wish crafting, the Alliance Party has decided to stumble back into the spotlight like an aging garage band convinced their 90s demo tape was misunderstood brilliance.

Yes, the same Alliance that flamed out of national politics years ago is now eyeing a return, this time through the back door of local body elections. Because apparently, nothing says “grassroots democracy” like dusting off tired socialist slogans and hoping no one remembers how badly it went the first time.

Their re entry pitch? That local councils need more collectivist solutions, more bureaucracy, and definitely more tax funded social engineering all dressed up as “community needs.”

Because if there’s one thing your average ratepayer in 2025 is begging for, it’s more ideological meddling from a defunct party whose glory days coincided with dial up internet and VHS tapes.

It’s almost charming how confident they are, as though Wellington's latest woke policy memo will resonate in regional councils where people are more concerned with potholes than post capitalist manifestos.

Of course, the media will lap it up. Expect glowing profiles of candidates who “care deeply,” complete with recycled slogans about equity, sustainability, and vaguely defined “justice.”

But let’s call it for what it is: another warmed over hard left experiment dressed in local clothing. If they really want to help their communities, maybe they could start by not trying to regulate them into oblivion.

Steven is an entrepreneur and an ex RNZN diver who likes travelling, renovating Houses, Swiss Watches, history, chocolate art and art deco.