As the sun sets, four influential figures from New Zealand’s ‘powerbroker’ political parties are preparing for a televised debate, to be held in an Auckland pub. The audience eagerly awaits what many predict will be a lively exchange.
Among the debaters are David Seymour of the Act party, Marama Davidson, the Green Party’s co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, and Winston Peters, leader of NZ First. National audiences are set to witness this contest, streamed live to their homes from the heart of Auckland.
The debate begins on the topic of special ministries, with Seymour taking the lead. He defends Act’s proposal to terminate certain ministries, notably those catering to women and Pacific peoples. He justifies it as part of an effort to curtail government expenditure, and expresses disagreement with the notion of targeting specific demographic groups.
Davidson counters Seymour’s assertions, accusing him of attempting to disband the entities working actively to rectify societal inequities. She responds sharply to Seymour, pointing out the collective failure to ensure equal treatment for all New Zealanders, targeting what she dubs the ‘wealthy few and David’s mates’.
Ngarewa-Packer takes a stance grounded in the historical perspective, referencing the importance of deliberations through a Te Tiriti lens. She points out the intricacies of race within the matter, highlighting the possibilities of further cuts in other departments.
Interjecting, Seymour is waved off by Ngarewa-Packer mid-argument, asserting her focus on prioritising the Treaty. Peters offers his voice in the debate, criticising the emphasis on issues like language instead of concrete problem-solving.
Peters then defends his stand on Māori’s indigenous status, confidently asserting his Māori identity and origins. He directs his argument towards the practical needs of average Māoris, dismissing their concerns over naming conventions of governmental bodies and emphasising their more basic needs.
In this election, the minor parties anticipate a greater role than in previous years. Neither Labour nor National parties are likely to govern independently. The recent polls suggest a possible National and Act coalition but also imply a return to power for NZ First.
Should Labour manage to surmount recent hurdles, they would largely depend on the support of the Greens and Te Pāti Māori. As per the 1News Verian poll, Act and Greens may win 15 seats each, NZ First six, and Te Pāti Māori four.
The debate continues amidst growing speculation that NZ First will stage a comeback after being ousted from Parliament last year, with its polling at the threshold of 5 per cent.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon indicates potential collaboration with NZ First and leader Winston Peters if deemed necessary, but expresses a personal preference for a National and Act coalition.
David Seymour, while expressing reservations about joining forces with Peters, asserts his readiness to find common ground if required. His comments come as Act unveils its alternative budget; the details of which may feature in the debate.
The Act party has proposed cuts of $2.9 billion this year and the next, and proposes greater slashes reaching $4.4 billion in 2025 and $5.7 billion by 2026.
Interestingly, Winston Peters features on the list of potential Act voters, according to a jesting remark from Seymour during the debate. The agenda of discussion also includes potential policies to alleviate the cost of living crisis, including a potential wealth tax proposal from Greens and Te Pāti Māori.
Prominent topics poised for debate include co-governance and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with Peters and Seymour known for their vocal views on these subjects. Both oppose co-governing arrangements between Māori and the Crown, and Act has floated the idea of a public referendum to establish interpretation of Te Tiriti, the nation’s founding document.
