Last year's election was a "cost-of-living" election. National's Chris Luxon was elected on the basis of his promise to reduce it. When New Zealanders are asked, "What are your biggest concerns?", top of the list is cost-of-living, followed by crime, inflation & health-care. Regards the PM's trip to Japan, barely a single Kiwi says their current concern is not enough foreign trade, with the likes of Japan.
