A new age Click a picture to enhance it. Blue text = a clickable linkHe's come! She's gone! How could any blogger this week ignore the fact that a new political age has begun in New Zealand. Like it or like it not, those of us who live in Aotearoa have a new head man. We certainly know who he is. He's that seeming young, schoolboy-like figure who has been the fixit minister of everything for the last few years. He was the prime minister's 'go to'. Now he has become the party's 'go to'. In just about the most adroit transition imaginable, Chris Hipkins is now leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister of New Zealand. I'm glad he is. I worryAlthough I'm glad Chris Hipkins is Prime Minister I worry for him. Over the last two or three days I've listened to radio, I've watched TV, I've seen webites and read newpaper reports. All of us in our country want something and no one is shy of saying what it is: lower food prices; small business security; easier immigration; shorter hospital waiting lists; fewer emission restrictions; lower house prices; lower inflation. Not only do we all want all this, and more, but we want it now! All at onceGiven the present world wide economic downturn, the widespread labour shortage, the pandemic and, in New Zealand, unusually severe wet weather delaying and spoiling crops, how can any leader or any party meet our demands all at once? We all know that no one person or party can, but that doesn't stop us asking, does it? We do want to see change but I think all that we can expect is step by step amelioration. But we will get at least that because the government has an election to face in October – an election they desperately want to win. They want to please. They will be using all the economic, political and technical tools they can muster. They will be fighting hard! FarmersA particular worry of mine is the Labour Party's relationship with farmers. That has often been a weak point for Labour and it is now. Last October, for instance, according to a RNZ report by Peter Wilson 'The government unveiled its long-awaited agricultural sector emissions pricing plan on Tuesday and ran straight into rural wrath.' And that is wrath our country could do without. Make the relationship workFarming is hugely important to New Zealand economically. How government relates to the farming sector is also hugely important. In a promised cabinet reshuffle who will be appointed minister of agriculture? Will it it be somone with a link to farming? Damien O'Conner, the present Minister of Agriculture? Somone else? Prime Minister Hipkins has already announced that his government's immediate focus will be on 'bread and butter' issues. I hope that doesn't mean that matters like climate change and biodiversity with their inevitable connection to farming will be overlooked. We need engagement and interaction to find ways of retaining economic productivity while at the same time becoming more and more ecologically safe. Can the relationship beteen farmers and the Labour Government improve? Late inputHaving put this post to bed at 4 pm, I then saw an evening news item, later posted to YouTube, which updates and summarises the difficulties Labour has with farmers. To watch, please turn on the sound, click the red arrow and use full screen. ForwardThe next few months living in Aotearoa New Zealand will be interesting. I want to be rid of all the awful vitriol and dangerous threatening verbal rubbish aimed at our last prime minister. I want the new prime minister to lead the country sensibly. I want adequate living for all New Zealanders. I want long term farming practice that is economically and ecologically beneficial. I want ... Yes, just like everyone else I have a list of wants. Will I get them? □ John McInnes Friday 27 January 2023 ##########
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