Mike's Minute: Electoral fantasy vs what will actually happen

Author: Mike Hosking ,
Publish Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2026, 10:51am

So, how to handle the avalanche of ideas that are starting to tumble our way even though we are still five months away from the election?

The nuances of MMP mean the vast majority of what is promoted on the campaign trail will never see the light of day.

This is a great advantage to small parties and those in Opposition.

The simple thing to do is hear it all, debate it all, and work it out for ourselves. Trouble with that is you get fatigue and you get confusion.

What's in, what’s out, what might be in, what could be in. What will never happen, no matter how badly you want it.

“Buy in” in this country is bad enough as it is. With the divisive nature —not to mention complete BS— of social media, people are already hopelessly confused as to what is real and what is not.

The social media fanaticism currently of those telling you the entire conservation estate is to be sold is a good case in point – I personally know people who believe it, even though it isn't true.

Making it slightly more complex is the lack of bottom lines. No one has one. There isn't a policy that a party will die on a hill for.

So they can plead and promise, cajole and arm twist, it still —no matter what the idea— might not ever get to be a “thing”.

Therefore, what do you vote on?

The Greens and their envy taxes – never happening. The purchase by the State of the Bank of New Zealand – never happening.

The Nats and compulsory Super – personally I doubt it will ever get up. It might, but probably won’t.

So what is it we are voting for?

Well most of the stuff Labour says so far will happen if they win – bus rides, scans, doctors visits, and more tax on houses. The Greens won’t stop that, so at least you know where you are at.

Or from the Government’s side – basically the status quo. Same parties, same policies, surely it will be the same rough coalition deal unless ACT or NZ First surge and have greater leverage. My guess is that won't happen.

But if we air all ideas, we will get flummoxed, confused, and bored. And also disappointed when it it doesn’t eventuate.

So we need to pick our subjects, pick our topics with care, and not get bogged down by electoral fantasy.