May 09, 2022
OPINION: On the Māori Party as Queenmaker
Martyn ‘Bomber’ Bradbury: It is very clear that the Māori Party have ruled out making Chris Luxon and David Seymour the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of NZ in the next Government, but the Polls are clearly pointing to a slumping Labour & Green Party who will require the Māori Party to form a majority for the 2023 election.
While some will claim the Polls are too far out to give any definitive picture of where 2023 is heading, polling data over decades tend to suggest Polling becomes static as early as 12 months out so these numbers can be banked and debated.
It demands the Māori Party step up and push for policy that not only resonates with Māori but stands for a better New Zealand.
The danger is that the Māori Party’s agitation activism focusing on identity and expression of identity has an electorate outside Māoridom.
The Māori Party’s GST off food policy has the same ability to bring in wide community support as the ‘feed the kids’ campaign run by Hone Harawira did.
If the Māori Party wish to avoid handing ACT and National political ammunition by playing up fears of co-governance, the Māori Party must push for policy that impacts the majority of people damaged by free market capitalism.
Free dental care, Free public transport, State Houses for life and GST off food are all powerful policies that would have the most material impact on the poorest Māori and the poorest pākehā.
The mana of being the Queenmaker demands an obligation by the Māori Party to advance policy that helps bring everyone trapped by poverty forward.
Martyn Bradbury
Editor – TheDailyBlog.nz
Radio Waatea and its board would like to advise that the opinions posted are those of Martyn ‘Bomber Bradbury’ and not necessarily the views of Radio Waatea, its Management or its Board.