Ardern ventures into apple land
For video coverage of the campaign go to nzherald.co.nz Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has faced flak for avoiding those who are not dazzled by her glow — such as farmers and orchardists who refer to her as “Jacindageddon” because of Labour's plans to charge for water.
So yesterday she ventured to Hawke’s Bay, the fruit bowl of New Zealand, to visit Johnny Appleseed — an apple orchard.
Ardern was greeted by owner John Paynter and workers.
She told them about the time her parents owned a small orchard in Morrinsville and the scar on her face from a boxing machine. She told them nashi pears were “an absolute beast” to work with: “Trying to keep the birds away is an absolute nightmare.”
Standing next to her, MP Stuart Nash managed to keep a straight face.
Paynter did not raise Labour's plans to impose water levies with Ardern: “It was her day, not mine.”
But he said his orchard used a lot of water and it was likely to have to absorb at least some of the extra cost rather than pass it all on to consumers. “Any cost that puts up the cost of fruit is an issue.”
He said he was not exactly happy about the idea, but managed to be philosophical, saying water was a precious resource and charges were probably inevitable. “Whether it's next year or in 50 years, I'm sure one day we will pay for it.”
His company could probably afford a charge of the size Labour was talking about of 1-2c per 1000 litres. “Would we want to? Not really.”
Earlier in the day, Ardern had warmed up with a few events that were more typical of her campaign diary: a visit to a local Plunket for photos with babies and a quick reunion with her former badminton doubles partners at Morrinsville High.
There she announced $10 million a year to pay for extra nurse visits by Plunket and Tamariki Ora for 18,000 vulnerable families, such as those dealing with drug or alcohol problems or with young parents.
She also made a local housing announcement at Maraenui in Napier for state and affordable homes. Those she met there included Eleanor White, who didn't want a selfie but rather its ancestor — a good, oldfashioned autograph.
White wanted her to sign her childhood autograph book — on the page next to the signature White got in 1946 in Granity from wartime Labour Prime Minister Peter Fraser. Jacinda Ardern will not be giving Winston a heads-up on what she want the tax working group to do. The Taxpayers' Union salutes Peters for calling for greater transparency from Labour over tax. James Shaw says Peters has no right to criticise Labour unless he is fully transparent about his own promises.