Nats leader shows he has a plan

For wonks who follow politics in detail, the Todd Muller reshuffle has a lot to admire and is a reassuring start to a new regime. The fact he’s taken Small Business is clever. Small Business is the bulk of business in this country, and it’s in massive trouble. If the government response so far, in shuffling billions out the door, has a glaring mistake about it, it is around small business. The loan scheme that hasn’t worked, the IRD switch which may, or may not, have worked.

The simple fact they haven’t helped with rents despite the cries for help and still don’t have a package out around it is testament that Labour isn’t strong on business experience and understanding. Muller has leapt on that.

Nikki Kaye is very strong on education. And although Hipkins is competent, he’s an ideologue and open to exploitation around delivery. Judith Collins on economic development, who is she up against? Phil Twyford. Say no more.

Amy Adams is a two-fold success. Of all the retirees she was far and away the most competent. And the fact she was clearly retiring because she had decided they were all toast under Bridges, means she in her heart of hearts thinks they have a chance under Muller.

Paul Goldsmith retaining Finance was a no-brainer. He and Chris Bishop have been stand out performers for the past two years. Mark Mitchell retains Justice and Defence. That’s recognition that Mitchell is a talent, and even though a Bridges man you don’t burn talent for the sake of it.

Michael Woodhouse in health is almost as one-sided as Collins against Twyford, given Woodhouse has mountain biker David Clark to tangle with.

This is the other part of the overall equation that Muller highlighted last week. Labour have a few solid operators. They are Jacinda Ardern, Grant Robertson and David Parker. Beyond that, the pool is shallow. They are ripe for the picking.

At least part, if not a major part, of the Labour success right now is directly a result of virtually none of them having been seen for two months. You’ve seen Ardern and Robertson.

Given health is behind us and economics is now front and centre. We are now playing into National’s strengths, Labour’s weaknesses, and forcing the Labour lack of talent back into the cold hard glare of an election campaign.

We don’t know yet if Muller has any magic as he goes head to head with Ardern. But this line-up shows at least he’s got a plan, he’s thought about it, and it makes sense. So clearly he’s a strategist.

The only other question left is, is the phone off the hook? Are New Zealanders receptive to an election campaign? Are they open to detail and debate? Or have they been so scared into a shell? Is no one coming up or out for light until well after September?

Rotorua’s CBD continues to evolve and further revitalisation should be encouraged.

There are too many shops in town and this quantity needs to be reduced - especially with the growth of online shopping.

Demolish two blocks and make the area into a much-needed green space in the CBD.

Arguably the blocks in the south-eastern quarter should go as it appears to be the area with the most geothermal activity.

The court building should be moved out of a key tourist part of town which would allow the northern end of the city to be further expanded as a tourist/ dining precinct.

Inner-city living is a great idea but the quality of the buildings needs to improve and people need to feel safe in the CBD.

Philip Macalister

Rotorua

World has changed

not gone away, it will become even more front and centre in people’s minds. Shoppers will want a product which they know is environmentally friendly.

The whole planning and concept needs to be thought through in a holistic way.

A Maori carving here and a Maori carving there isn’t going to do it. It needs to be designed as a single entity by specialists in human behaviour. Someone who understands what influences human behaviour.

Without an environment which is pleasant to be in, the buying public will not come.

Lesley Haddon

Rotorua

Stop flogging a dead horse

What - again?

This was my reaction when I read today in the Daily Post (News, May

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COMPLAINTS

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26) that it has been suggested that the CBD has a revamp.

Haven’t we just had one to ”revive the CBD and make it more userfriendly?”

Can we please stop flogging the dead horse, make do with what we have, save the money, and see what happens in an uncertain future? Please.

A N Christie

Rotorua