Sober as a judge Junior except on game day. Although I probably shouldn't use that analogy bearing in mind what happened with Judge AitkenMaybe just don't drink and post. The demons come out.

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The thread centers on New Zealand's upcoming election, primarily debating the economic management and policy differences between the center-left Labour government and center-right National/ACT opposition. Key criticisms target Labour's fiscal stewardship, citing ballooning government expenditure #7#272, housing unaffordability, and unfulfilled promises like KiwiBuild and dental care expansion #16#12. A user #7 highlighted Labour's annual 9% spending growth versus 1.5% under previous governments, arguing this fueled inflation. National's tax-cut policy faced scrutiny over funding gaps and legality, with user #215 questioning Luxon's reliance on "trust me" assurances.
Leadership competence emerged as a critical theme, particularly in later posts. Luxon drew heavy criticism after a contentious interview where he struggled to defend policy details #194#199#211, while Willis faced backlash for her economic credentials. Hipkins garnered fleeting praise for articulation but was ultimately seen as representing poor governmental outcomes #45#119. A trusted user #308 presented expert economic analysis contradicting Treasury optimism. Infrastructure issues—like Wellington's water crisis and the dental school staffing shortage—were cited as examples of systemic mismanagement #235#12. Notable policy debates included road-user charges for EVs #220, immigration impacts on rents #299, and coalition scenarios involving NZ First #182#258. Early fringe discussions on candidates' rugby allegiances gave way to substantive policy critiques, culminating in grim Treasury forecasts discussed in posts #271#304#308. User #168 also revealed concerns about Labour rushing regulatory changes to entrench policies pre-election.
Economic Policies, Housing Crisis, Leadership Competence
Sober as a judge Junior except on game day. Although I probably shouldn't use that analogy bearing in mind what happened with Judge AitkenMaybe just don't drink and post. The demons come out.
Kieran Mcnulty will be announced as new leader early part of next yearGood point! In all seriousness, between now & the election Labour need to find someone seriously impressive to lead them or else I’d give them a Bunnies chance of winning.
That’s been my view for the last couple of years. He and Bishop have a segment on the breakfast show and I reckon Bishop will be national leader in the coming years tooKieran Mcnulty will be announced as new leader early part of next year
I'm not sure the government are not preforming as well as the forum righty persuasion would lead us to believe.Good point! In all seriousness, between now & the election Labour need to find someone seriously impressive to lead them or else I’d give them a Bunnies chance of winning.
he is going batty
he can't have many years left
I don’t think they’re going great either however it’s all relative & their predecessors had a shocker.I'm not sure the government are not preforming as well as the forum righty persuasion would lead us to believe.
Luxon is polling really badly in preferred PM & is perceived as pretty weak and disingenuous by the public, as well being seen to allow some pretty divisive policy to enter the public discourse.
With the way the opposition have been performing surely they should be further ahead in the polls - but they're not.
Going to be interesting... just like the race for the Top 8
In retrospect they wasted alot of money.I don’t think they’re going great either however it’s all relative & their predecessors had a shocker.
Yeah perhaps, but plenty don’t have a problem with some of what you listed - landlords & mining for starters, and TPM are doing the pro-māori movement (which I think most NZ’ers support) no favours. In fact isn’t that the single biggest issue for Labour - in time their crazy excess spending will be forgotten, but the more TPM & the Greens move away from centre, the more they erode Labours chances? I dunno, interesting times ahead.In retrospect they wasted alot of money.
But so did nearly all countries.
They're judged harshly here by some but I think thats pretty unfair given the unique and fluid time the pandemic globally.
We might be judging the current government in 5 years as one that prioritised tobacco, landlords, mining, eroded workers rights and was anti māori.
Not a very nice legacy to leave - non of which was the last governments fault.
Yeah interesting times ahead for sureYeah perhaps, but plenty don’t have a problem with some of what you listed - landlords & mining for starters, and TPM are doing the pro-māori movement (which I think most NZ’ers support) no favours. In fact isn’t that the single biggest issue for Labour - in time their crazy excess spending will be forgotten, but the more TPM & the Greens move away from centre, the more they erode Labours chances? I dunno, interesting times ahead.
We have had a bit of a clear-out in both parties. Probably a big drop in experience. That is mainly a problem with the nuances of politics, or the procedural things. Not sure if the people there now are an improvement or not. Leaning towards not at the moment.Yeah interesting times ahead for sure
Don't think Labour have the fiscal skills necessary and I don't think the current government is going well either
Minor parties distracting from the real issues trying to make themselves relevant and gaining traction before the next election.
Nothing article.... gives Labour credit for inflation going down 0.25% after the election they lost and yet gives no credit to National for inflation dropping another 2.00%.... or a reduction in inflation 8 times what he credits Labour for. And people wonder why he was let go off by the Listener for not being objective as a political reporter.
True, they are performing very poorly in what should be an ideal environment for them. Labour seem just as bad and to me it appears to be a level of competence or indeed lack of across the board. Don't think we've had a decent bunch of politicians since Helen's second term and Key's second also. As said, I wouldn't expect Luxon nor Hipkins to be around in Oct next year.I'm not sure the government are not preforming as well as the forum righty persuasion would lead us to believe.
Luxon is polling really badly in preferred PM & is perceived as pretty weak and disingenuous by the public, as well being seen to allow some pretty divisive policy to enter the public discourse.
With the way the opposition have been performing surely they should be further ahead in the polls - but they're not.
Going to be interesting... just like the race for the Top 8