Labour’s Long-Sightedness and the Opposition’s Opprobrious Omniabsence

It’s understandable that Labour has been relatively quiet after their brutal election defeat in 2023 followed by a gruelling 2024. The summer break is for rest and reflection and politicians are human too and have friends and family to spend quality time with.

However, the Coalition army has not been sitting idle and is continuing its blitzkrieg of flattening the constitutional landscape of New Zealand. This is superbly led by Panzer Brigade Commander David Seymour under the watchful eyes of generals Luxon and Peters. Seymour has given a master class in political tactics with a two-pronged attack on NZ society with the Treaty Principles Bill that created a deceptive diversion for the main assault that is the Regulatory Standards Bill.

The Coalition forces haven’t met with much resistance last year and have been winning battle after battle unencumbered by Opposition objections; they know that they’re getting closer to winning the war.

Of course, there was the peaceful protest in November with a symbolic action in the House that went deservedly viral. Of course, there’s the record of submissions on the Treaty Principles Bill, but it would be foolhardy to believe that all submissions will be against the Bill. The Coalition leadership must be having a jolly good time but they’ve learned the hard way in 2017 that celebrating too early can snatch victory away from their eager and greedy hands.

Whilst NZ regulations are being razored Labour leader Lieutenant Hipkins is looking back and forth at the same time. His long view is on the battle that looms at the end of 2026 but he seems oblivious of the sand shifting under his own feet at present and unable or unwilling to make any captain’s calls.

Judging by their public reactions the whole Opposition seems to be blissfully unaware of the danger lurking.

Māoridom is huddling together to see if they can come up with a collective and coordinated response to NZ culture wars but success is all but guaranteed and their timing and speed are too slow to mount a robust defence against the most immediate threat(s) – time is not on their site, but even if they get their act together by 2040 it’ll be far too late. Can somebody tell them that it’s possibly and desirable, necessary even, to walk and chew gum at the same time?

Even the politically astute Chlöe Swarbrick seems to have dropped the ball and taken her eyes off it.

Why?

Outside NZ mainstream media, who appear to be ignoring the Regulatory Standards Bill, there’s plenty of noise being made, e.g., by the indomitable Melanie Nelson, and quite a few others. One can rightfully ask if anybody really cares at all and the answer leans strongly towards the negative.

Has everyone been soothed by the misleading wording of those Bills? This is a likely explanation why many New Zealanders see no problems and believe that much if not all of what’s being proposed is common sense and perfectly justified, at least in the way it’s been framed. The propaganda apparatus of the Coalition is a well-oiled machine that works 24/7 with ample support from a well-resourced and very resourceful alliance of (online) pressure groups that can swamp just about any unsuspecting (and unprotected) platform and outlet with mis- and disinformation and false narratives. Their trickery includes doublespeak and turning people’s own values against them in Trumpian fashion. Ironically, any attempts to combat those nefarious players are met with fierce resistance waving ‘freedom of speech’ banners as if it’s the Red Cross flag and accusations of partisan censorship.

Without a strong and effective Opposition, the Coalition is strolling towards victory in 2026 and even it the unlikely event that were to be ousted after one term the damage will be longer-lasting and even less irreparable than Rogernomics. Chew on that while you browse the internet for useful distractions but don’t choke on it.