Chinese dragon

The Labour coalition is already being seen to bravely represent the wishes of middle New Zealand, and proved that bold moves which the previous National Government deemed to be impossible, are in fact very doable. Try as he might in a recent media interview, National’s new leader Simon Bridges seemed to be both surprised and almost approving of Labour controlling foreign purchases of Kiwi land and dwellings, with a, simple stroke of a pen – something that National had seen as belonging in the ‘‘too hard’’ basket.

Also, after a period of relative obscurity and humility in the role, Winston Peters, as foreign minister, has New Zealand punching well above its weight in international matters, such as China’s aggressive will to control world trade and commerce, and our final recognition that New Zealand, and Australia, need to do more in humanitarian and commerce terms to support our natural cousins in all of the South Pacific Islands, lest the Chinese cheque-book is able to buy their hearts and minds, and perhaps even establish ‘‘smallish’’ military bases, virtually in our own backyards.

Even in terms of the housing crisis and the job market, the coalition is of necessity moving forward to answer the challenge, albeit planting small ‘‘acorns’’ from which to grow mighty oaks. Whatever the future holds for our little country, people power and inclusiveness stand the best chance of success in any political and physical environment that ‘‘tomorrow’’ may throw at us.

Dennis Pennefather

Te Awamutu

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