John Porter: We Get the Government We Deserve

Today I’m suggesting it is time we quit complaining about Ardern’s incompetent government.

Why? Because we voted them in! And the old adage “We get the government we deserve” is very true, especially in this case!

That adage is attributed to one Joseph de Maistre, a French philosopher who strongly believed that monarchy was a divinely-sanctioned institution and the only stable form of government.

What he actually said was, “In a democracy, the people end up with the government and leaders they deserve.”

NZCPR Weekly: Proportional Representation – Disproportional Influence

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

In this week’s newsletter we reflect on the final election result, coalition formation, and the demise of the Maori Party, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Karl du Fresne looks at the perversities of MMP, and in this week’s poll we ask which electoral system you prefer – MMP or First Past the Post.

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Karl du Fresne: Post-election hiatus illustrates the perversity of MMP

The only thing that can be said with any certainty about the next New Zealand government is that it will look very different from the last one.

National party prime minister Bill English won an emphatic 13-seat majority over the opposition Labour party at the weekend in an election result that defied the pattern of history. But the vagaries of New Zealand’s mixed-member proportional electoral system mean it could be weeks before the shape of the new government is finalised, and no one can be sure what form it will take. Paradoxically, it may not include the National party.

Rob Ogilvie: Why just Kingmaker? Why not King?

Like many I lazily assumed National had it in the bag until their recent press conferences.  Then the faces showed they have had their “Oh Sh-t” moment.  To woo the elusive Mr Peters Mr English has already told David Seymour to scram, and both Ms Bennett (National) and Mr Davis (Labour) have offered to step aside from deputy leadership. Mr Joyce has said he really can be best friends, honest.  Both parties have made it clear that cherished policies are up for grabs.  Have whatever cabinet seats you like.  And that is just their opening positions.  The negotiations apparently haven’t even started.

The art and science of negotiation means Winston could be our next PM, or at least a newly constructed position more influential than Deputy PM.  If he really wants the job.

NZCPR Weekly: Election 2017 - Roundup

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week’s newsletter looks at the election and the factors that influenced the outcome, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Frank Newman reviews the winners and the losers, and this week’s poll asks whether Winston Peters’ referendum on the future of the Maori seats should be a priority in coalition negotiations.

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NZCPR Weekly: Election 2017 - Style versus Substance

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week, in our final Election 2017 update, we look into the ‘hot’ election topic of tax and investigate some of the promises that have been made by Labour, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Anthony Willy explains why the Labour Party’s plan to disclose the details of tax policies after the election is so dishonest, and this week’s poll asks whether you agree with Labour that New Zealand needs more taxes? 

All of our NZCPR Election 2017 updates can be viewed on our NZCPR.com homepage.

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NZCPR Weekly: Election 2017 - Idealism vs Realism

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week, we have been examining Parliamentary party manifestos and outline some of the promises that are being made, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Frank Newman provides an analysis of party policies that target residential property investors, and this week’s poll asks if New Zealand First holds the balance of power after the election, whether you think they will support National or Labour.

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NZCPR Weekly: Election 2017 - Taxing and Spending

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week, we examine the spending promises of the political parties in the run up to the election, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Anthony Willy explains why binding public referenda are an important democratic tool for deciding fundamental constitutional matters such as the future of the Maori Seats, and in this week’s poll we invite you to make a call about which party you think will lead the next Government – National or Labour?

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Karl du Fresne: Looks like we've got ourselves an election campaign

It’s hard to recall a more dramatic – you might even say enthralling – election campaign. And there’s still a month to go.

Last time around, there was the noise and smoke surrounding Kim Dotcom and Nicky Hager. But that was manufactured drama, and voters were unmoved. This election is different. The drama is real.

A former British prime minister, Harold Wilson, famously said that a week was a long time in politics. That may have been true in the 1960s, but time frames have been greatly compressed.

NZCPR Weekly: The Water Debate

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week, we look at political manipulation in the debate over fresh water, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Michael Coote examines Maori plans to create a perpetual revenue stream of royalties from commercial water levies, and this week’s poll asks whether you support a charge on the commercial use of water.

And with the election fast approaching, please feel free to forward our newsletters on to others that you believe would be interested in our research and commentary. Anyone is welcome to register for our free weekly newsletter.

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Frank Newman: Political manias and meltdowns

The election campaign has already brought up its share of extraordinary events: the self-mutilation of the Green Party leadership and the rise of Jacindamania. With those two events the campaign has been transformed as support shifts from NZ First and the Greens to Labour - although based on the latest polling it looks like NZ First will continue to hold the trump card come election night.

In amongst the manias and melt-downs there have been some policy announcements. Prior to the election I will summarise the party policies that particularly affect property investors, but one that is particularly eye-brow raising in a weird way is the announcement by the Opportunities (Gareth Morgan) Party (TOP).

NZCPR Weekly: A Long Week in Politics

Dear NZCPR Reader,   

This week, we look at the state of politics and the extraordinary events of the last week, our NZCPR Guest Commentator Dr Bryce Edwards outlines the media’s response to the Labour Party’s leadership change, and this week’s poll asks whether you believe the Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei should resign from Parliament.

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