Rob Campbell is chancellor of AUT University and chairs NZ Rural Land Co and renewable energy centre Ara Ake. The election campaign as reality television: sometimes cringeworthy, often banal, always without substance. A reluctance to address the main issues of wealth, income and social determinants of wellbeing coupled with limited capability to deliver positive change in the public sector anyway. The main parties squabbled over details on the menu and wine list while the privileged ate the food. When both major parties avoid the main debates in favour of playing back to the people their current fears and insecurities and leveraging those to their advantage.

Source: Stuff October 16, 2023 19:15 UTC