Here’s my 20 predictions for next year, which I’ll score at the end of the year. I got 13.5/20 right for 2025.
1. NZ First will get at least 10% at the election, unless Winston does a u-turn on ruling out a Hipkins-led Labour.
2. ACT will retain both Tamaki and Epsom.
3. The Greens will retain two out of their three electorate seats.
4. Te Pāti Maori will retain between one and four electorate seats
5. National, ACT and NZ First will receive more party votes than Labour, Greens and Te Pati Maori, resulting in a National-led Government.
6. The Republicans will retain the Senate but lose the House in the 2026 mid-terms
7. Unemployment will be between 5% and 5.5% during the year
8. Inflation will be at or below 2.5% by year end
9. The 2026 Budget will forecast a return to (OBEGALx) surplus by 2028/29 instead of 2029/30
10. National will win Wigram off Labour
11. National will lose five or fewer electorates to Labour
12. There will be a new Speaker of the House
13. The general election will be in November 2026
14. PM Luxon will do a Cabinet reshuffle with Chris Penk promoted to Cabinet
15. The Russian invasion of Ukraine will continue all year
16. Keir Starmer will go as UK Labour Leader and PM after the May 2026 local elections
17. If elected, Michael Wood will announce he is a candidate for NZ Labour Leader, after the election
18. The Macrons will win their defamation suit against Candace Owens
19. All eight parliamentary leaders (incl co-leaders) will remain until the election
20. Labor will retain power in South Australia but lose power in Victoria
David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders

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