Remote chance
Most might see enforced time at the beach as an excuse to tune out, but not this news junkie.
Having sought sanctuary from the builders (who are fast demolishing our home) by hiding out in the bach at Ocean Beach, I am determined to stay in contact with the outside world.
The beach is fairly remote, but I have the radio news blaring and internet access so I can see everything everyone is saying online. That is a little depressing, I must admit.
As I write, Harry and Meghan’s royal tour is grinding to a close. She has received earrings from the Prime Minister and he got a CD. The latter sounds like one of those last-minute presents thought of while filling up at a petrol station. Still, they can take back to Buckingham Palace the idea of introducing gumboot throwing in Harry’s next Invictus Games.
As a journalist, I’m amazed at how so much editorial coverage can be given to a celebrity visit during which nothing of news value happens. What’s more, royal protocol means the couple who are the centre of attention are off-limits for interviews. We did, however, discover that Meghan knew three words of Māori in a speech she gave celebrating female suffrage. Ka pai, Meghan.
Editors might argue that there is nothing else happening in the country, apart from an argument over a decision to allow a Czech drug smuggler to remain in Godzone after serving his sentence without telling the public why. The Prime Minister’s helpful suggestion that we “read between the lines” left me none the wiser.
There was an old newsroom maxim that New Zealand has only three strong news stories a year. I suspect we have already used up our annual allocation with two months to go. At the start of each weekday, I like to listen to RNZ National’s Morning Report, but it is a little disheartening to discover its bird calls are more interesting than the news bulletins that follow.
There is the prospect that Jami-Lee Ross will reignite the National Party saga when he gets the opportunity to speak under parliamentary privilege in the general debate in a few weeks’ time. I’ve marked that potential news event in my diary because one of the benefits of parliamentary privilege is that you cannot be sued for defamation. That means Ross can say almost anything he wants about those he thinks are persecuting him for merely allegedly leaking about his leader, sleeping with a couple of colleagues and being nasty to others.
The return of Ross and the fallout for National are sure to get plenty of media attention because the Government seems to have found its feet after a year in office and it’s hard to lay a glove on it. Yes, a couple of ministers have bitten the dust, but the public have largely forgotten that. The polls show a healthy increase in Labour’s support and the economy is cruising along.
The Government’s problem is that there are still deep-seated issues that may over time annoy voters, especially those in Auckland. Housing prices there remain impossibly high for many new buyers and the cost of a litre of petrol is bringing a tear to the eye of gridlocked commuters.
I have noticed an increasing number of stories about young couples leaving Auckland for the regions, where they have discovered they can buy a home, get a job, enjoy better weather and even go to restaurants.
The Government had better hope that by the next election, Auckland is drained of those malcontents who have now become the happy neighbours of people such as me in Hawke’s Bay. Otherwise, it could get an ugly surprise.
I’m amazed at how much coverage can be given to a visit during which nothing happens.