She wasn’t just there to trade the latest woke gossip or discuss who has the whitest set of ivories. Newsom, who looks like a cross between an ageing Hollywood soap star and a celebrity lawyer, could certainly give Jacinda a run for her money in that department, especially contrasted against his flawless tan.
The visit culminated with California and New Zealand’s leading politicians signing a pledge agreeing to share ideas and practices that help fight climate change.
I’m sure those of a bright green persuasion are feeling all warm and fuzzy inside at this news. After all, California does have a reputation of innovation, creativity and success. It has led from the front on climate change action and the UNIPCC Assessment Reports are worshipped on the same pedestal as the Constitution of the United States.
Surely, New Zealand can only benefit from such cooperation and experience. Or can it?
California has a population of about 40 million, eight times that of ours. Its GDP is about 17 times that of New Zealand, or in other words it has roughly double the GDP per capita we have. Combine all that wealth with the brightest minds that California allegedly attracts and you should get some cutting edge solutions to climate change.
