Indeed, we call it an election. But the quote is from the infrastructure industry.
Their report out this week tells you the usual tale – that the pipeline, or lack of it, is an issue and politics gets in the way. It holds the country back.
The Treasury report we featured this week as well tells pretty much the same story. Their report spanned out over 40 years and talks of the fear that our debt will be at 200% of GDP if we don't do something about it.
We have a lot of big picture issues that we know are issues and yet we haven't been able to crack them.
To be fair this Government has tried the big picture talk. They've announced a pretty decent pipeline of longer-term work and they have cited various countries that have a greater level of political cooperation than we do.
Certain sectors and projects are handled by independent bodies that operate between Governments; a project is agreed to and that project is not interfered with if a government changes.
This week's example gave little hope that we have the maturity to try and change the way we continue to shoot ourselves in the collective foot.
Luxon wrote to Hipkins about oil and gas exploration inquiring as to whether we can get cross party agreement.
The problem is that although exploration and applications are back open and we have $200 million of taxpayer money to get skin in the game, the fear is that no one is signing up if you don’t know the rules stay the same.
Hipkins said the letter was desperate, so that’s that then.
Which is a shame and Hipkins should know better, act better, and ask himself whether he serves the country well with such a myopic response.
No one is really a fan of oil and gas, but surely, we all agree it’s a big help between now and whenever all the windmills, solar panels and batteries are up and running.
Does he really prefer coal? Can he not see that keeping the lights on is kind of important? Can he not be a bigger person about it?
America is closed down currently because the two sides hate each other. We aren't as bad, but we could be an awful lot better.
Surely it can't be so hard to put common, economic interest beyond simple, party politics?
Surely two major so-called centre parties can't be so far apart that a basic like power supply can't be dealt with in a civil and collegial way, right?
Mike Hosking is a New Zealand television and radio broadcaster. He currently hosts The Mike Hosking Breakfast show on NewstalkZB on weekday mornings - where this article was sourced.
We have a lot of big picture issues that we know are issues and yet we haven't been able to crack them.
To be fair this Government has tried the big picture talk. They've announced a pretty decent pipeline of longer-term work and they have cited various countries that have a greater level of political cooperation than we do.
Certain sectors and projects are handled by independent bodies that operate between Governments; a project is agreed to and that project is not interfered with if a government changes.
This week's example gave little hope that we have the maturity to try and change the way we continue to shoot ourselves in the collective foot.
Luxon wrote to Hipkins about oil and gas exploration inquiring as to whether we can get cross party agreement.
The problem is that although exploration and applications are back open and we have $200 million of taxpayer money to get skin in the game, the fear is that no one is signing up if you don’t know the rules stay the same.
Hipkins said the letter was desperate, so that’s that then.
Which is a shame and Hipkins should know better, act better, and ask himself whether he serves the country well with such a myopic response.
No one is really a fan of oil and gas, but surely, we all agree it’s a big help between now and whenever all the windmills, solar panels and batteries are up and running.
Does he really prefer coal? Can he not see that keeping the lights on is kind of important? Can he not be a bigger person about it?
America is closed down currently because the two sides hate each other. We aren't as bad, but we could be an awful lot better.
Surely it can't be so hard to put common, economic interest beyond simple, party politics?
Surely two major so-called centre parties can't be so far apart that a basic like power supply can't be dealt with in a civil and collegial way, right?
Mike Hosking is a New Zealand television and radio broadcaster. He currently hosts The Mike Hosking Breakfast show on NewstalkZB on weekday mornings - where this article was sourced.
7 comments:
I honestly think that the left trio will win in 2026 so 3 years is too long actually. I would say that about 70% of my auckland office will be voting labour or greens. When I told one female colleague that I would be voting for David Seymour she visibly recoiled as if David is a far far right guy. Almost akin to Hitler in her mind. She thought I was joking. This colleague I would classify as normal middle nz. So even though we spent those horror years under labour during covid, people still want them back. The sheeple still exist in big numbers. What have you noticed about your own office or friends? Three years is quite ling enough if we getting a hard left government next.
Yeah and we also need tax reform, economic incentives so that we can have better growth, and we need to sort out our infrastructure debt.
No one is really a fan of oil and gas, but surely, we all agree it’s a big help between now and whenever all the windmills, solar panels and batteries are up and running.
I've had an epiphany!
Mike is basically saying that he thinks that windmills, solar panels and batteries can eventually replace oil & gas. What if Hipkins, Luxon and others also think this?
Most people get focused on electricity generation, and the "lights going out". Fair enough, but it is only a part of the energy picture.
I invite people to look at this picture:
https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-energy-source-sub?country=~NZL
It shows the breakdown of our primary energy: not just electricity, but all the energy we use. It shows that wind and solar are 2.27% of our energy, despite the development of wind and solar farms. Oil, Gas and Coal are over 55%. Wind and Solar are never going to replace those (worldwide, it is over 80%).
We need oil and gas, and we need them for more than electricity. We need them for chemical feedstocks, for process heat. Fertiliser, coking, lubricants.
Please, Mr Hosking, ask Hipkins and Luxon whether they know what fraction of the New Zealand energy supply comes from oil, gas and coal. And you can educate yourself, too.
Why is this reversal of the previous party's policies happening? Because both Labour and National are in the same business as you, Mike. Desperate for (short term) ratings. Form over substance becomes everything. Comms and spin and marketing and PR have become everything in NZ, whether it be Saint Jacinda, Liquid Lux, or you, Mike. You don't properly interview Lux; you let him get away with a verbal spewing of sound-bites and word salads.
Why? You're part of the same form-over-substance chumocracy that now defines NZ. Try doing the right thing & promoting deeply thought-out ideas to move the country forward gets you nowhere these days. That's why the Nats blame Labour & vice-versa on your show. It sounds good. And you let them get away with it. Anyhow, how's your best buddy John Key doing these days? He knows the PR game better than anyone in NZ. Never sound angry. Talk to DJ's and Kiwis like they're your best mates. Then you can con votes out of them. Sound angry like Rob (and NZCPR readers) and you're toast. Good one Mike, John, Lux and Jacinda. Great for ratings and crap forthe country.
If Luxon would use English language instead of corporate speak intermingled with deception , gutlessness and quasi maori mumbo jumbo he may become a leader.
Mr Luxon is NOT the best person in National, therefore is only a leader in position only , not by rising above the rest with his actions is he worthy of the leadership mantle.
Instead of discussing bi partisanship with Hipkins , NZ needs Luxon to lead with statements . The Maori wards are gone and will not be available next election . Tikanga is being overruled and comity will be preserved because Parliament makes the laws, including enabling the Seabed and Foreshore be upheld by the Crown .
Methane is toast because it dissipates in the atmosphere and will never be an impediment to NZ within Paris Accord protocol.
Coal will be given the strictest emission tests while producing reliable back up energy. The pension start age is being extended.
That is how it will be because I am the leader of NZ politics .
Basil plays the race card again.
How much did food, power, rates and insurance set you back in the last year. Mine was around $50k.
How much did you pay towards Maori only social services. Mine was around $50.
Your racist focus won't change anyone's life so it will be nice if the racists focus on what is important.
Unless you're funded by the nz oligopolies, in which case shame on you for deflecting attention away from your life ruining pricing, by suggesting maoris are to blame!
The quality of a nation depends almost totally on the quality of its leadership. We can all see the progressive deterioration of the country as our leadership quality has slipped ever lower. Until we abandon the Political Party concept we will continue on the downslope. Unfortunately it is rare for a nation to identify and correct its governmental failings before its final collapse.
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