It is really difficult trying to appear to be Prime Minister material and inclusive and to appeal to racists at the same time.
Christopher Luxon this week has shown how difficult it is.
Waitangi day has now been and gone but it pays to reflect on what he said, using cards, so that his words were uttered accurately, he made soothing noises but then described Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a little experiment. He backed this up by repeating a Don Brash policy and said there should be full and final treaty settlements by 2030.
Then on Waitangi Day, the day that historically Labour cooked everyone breakfast Luxon did something peculiarly National like. He went and had breakfast at the Takapuna boat Club.
By contrast Chris Hipkins managed to be at the dawn service at Waitangi and then be at West Auckland to celebrate Waitangi at Waititi, an event organised by John Tamihere’s Waipareira Trust and Hoani Waiti Marae. The two organisations have very strong and deep links with the Maori Party. The mutual respect between Tamihere and Hipkins was clearly strong.
Luxon then had to perform yet another U turn on what he had earlier said.
From Radio New Zealand:
One part of Luxon’s speech … caused some controversy: “We started on the 6th of February 1840 as a little experiment, and look at us now – the 21st century success story able to tackle the challenges that come our way.”
Today, Luxon clarified that he did not mean to say that the treaty was an experiment.
“What we’ve done here in New Zealand is incredibly special, I mean if you think about the goodwill of those people who were here negotiating that treaty, it was unprecedented in many ways.”
Looking at what happened in other countries and how they have developed over time the treaty what had been done in New Zealand was incredibly special, he said.
“So it was a brave experiment to set up a treaty as a foundation for a whole new country, that didn’t happen if you think about it pre-1840 around the world.”
Hipkins has also shown this week that he is different to Jacinda Ardern. He threw a couple of jabs at Luxon and both of them connected.
About co govenance he said this:
“Those who seek to use misunderstanding around it for political advantage need to reflect on their own behaviour.
“I certainly think the Opposition – National and Act – have used, as they have done in the past, uncertainty to try and stoke fear.”
And about National’s criticism of Labour’s reset he said this:
“Look, I mean, I’ve come to accept that the National Party just like to sort of whinge and moan about things, it’s difficult to have a contest of ideas with them when they don’t really seem to have any,” he said.
“We’ve been very transparent about the things that are not going to happen and the things that we’re taking some more time on, to have another look at to make sure that we’re doing the right thing there.”
The pressure will be on National. They have to come up with some policy soon. Right now their relentless negativity will not persuade people that they are a Government in waiting.
And National supporters must go through the same sorts of emotions I went through when former Labour leader David Shearer was interviewed on morning report, wondering if he would come through unscathed. The latest interview of Luxon by Guyon Espiner would suggest that the comparison is valid.
This year’s campaign will be very interesting. Luxon is flat footed and once you strip away his programmed talking points he descends into nonsense and becomes easily flustered. He clearly relies on his briefing notes and in this interview repeatedly called Guyon Espiner “Corin” because that was what was written down.
By way of contrast Hipkins is very deft and nimble. He may not have Ardern’s emotional attraction but the current political dynamic may suit him.
The battle of the two Chris’s will win or lose the election this year. So far Chippy has a clear points advantage over Luxon.
And Luxon’s dog whistling may not provide him with the advantage that he is hoping for.
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