New Zealand Prime Minister cool on NATIONAL poll surge

The Dominion Post [Wellington, New Zealand] ^ | February 16 2004 | Vernon Small

[shaggy eel]

A shock political poll showing National vaulting ahead of Labour has jolted the Government, but Prime Minister Helen Clark has vowed not to change direction.

The One News Colmar Brunton poll showed National leader Don Brash's Orewa speech, pledging to end special treatment for Maori, pushed National up 17 percentage points to 45 per cent.

Labour was down seven at 38, the first time it has trailed National since 2000. ACT fell five points to 1.3 per cent. NZ First fell five points to 6 per cent.

Political analysts said it confirmed a significant change in fortune for National, though it hinged on a single issue and might not yet reflect a mood to change the Government.

Senior lecturer in politics at Auckland University Raymond Miller said National had shown Labour was out of step with public opinion on race. The poll was "a referendum for the time", coming after Waitangi Day and with the seabed and foreshore issue on the public's mind. He doubted Dr Brash could sustain the momentum once National began to define details of its policy plans and felt it had to distance itself from "redneck" reaction.

"The very reasonableness of the man . . . will force him into a position which doesn't excite voters."

Victoria University professor of public policy Jonathan Boston said if National could keep the issue of race to the fore and the economy turned sour, the Government would be on the back foot.

A subdued Miss Clark said the poll was "a snapshot in time" after unprecedented publicity about Dr Brash's speech. "And it's off the back of the nonsense at Waitangi which everybody's had a gutsful of. I hear the message, because I feel it myself. We are sick of it."

But she would not over-react and change direction. "Where you have a minority (Maori) which has the highest unemployment rate, the worst health, the least achievement in education and disproportionately occupies the prisons, it costs you not to address those issues.

"The more interesting issue to me is what is he suggesting should change?"

Labour would remind voters that National had used decile funding for schools, introduced spiritual healing to hospitals, and targeted early childhood scholarships on the basis of ethnicity. Labour would also stress unity based on fairness, security and equal opportunity, but would reject "unhelpful" Maori seabed and foreshore radicalism.

Meanwhile, Dr Brash said he was happy with the poll, but more work was needed.

"We know the election is a long time away yet and we've got a lot of work to do to build the trust that New Zealanders have in the National Party."

Greens co-leader Rod Donald said it reflected a mood-swing Dr Brash had "fomented". "I find it disturbing because he has managed to pervert Kiwis' underlying sense of fairness. His rhetoric suggests Maori are somehow advantaged, whereas the truth is Maori remain disadvantaged in many respects."

The poll was a wake-up call for the Government, which had clearly not explained the benefits of affirmative action.

Businesses have also responded to Dr Brash's stance. His approval rating has recorded the biggest increase in any Opposition leader's rating in recent years.

[shaggy eel]

YEEEEEEEEE~HA!!!!

[shaggy eel]

FYI

[blackie]

Perfect! :)

[blackie]

Go ~ National ~ Go!

[shaggy eel]

FYI

[Beck_isright]

If the Conservatives take power there, let me know. Because if Kerry-Clinton or Clinton-Jackson Lee become Pres and VP here, I'm moving out. And I've always wanted to visit New Zealand as the folks there are as friendly as us Southerners are.

[shaggy eel]

,,, today's a great day.

[blackie]

Cheers!

[shaggy eel]

,,, we've got elections about the same time as you have this year. I'll keep FReepers informed of what's going on here.

[PoorMuttly]

Muttly LIKE !

[shaggy eel]

,,, yep, a milestone day here. The swords are being dusted off and some heads will roll in November.

[toddst]

Greens co-leader Rod Donald said it reflected a mood-swing Dr Brash had "fomented."

Sounds like Rod Donald is uncomfortable because Dr. Brash spoke the truth AND most people agree with him. Hey, Shag what wonderful news! Ms. Clark knows she's in trouble.

[Piefloater]

Good news. Let's hope National can stay in front. What is National's policy on defence? Are they likely to turn around the "bludge on Australia" policy of the current socialist regime?

[Beck_isright]

Please do. Some of us might be seeking asylum. I have no desire to report to a Hillary Clinton "re-education" camp.

[shaggy eel]

,,, Hi Todd! Rod Donald's GREENS are sympathetic to the Treaty of Waitangi industry but are only really listened to on environmental issues, if at all. They're crucial to Labour being able to form a government under our MMP electoral system - and they're having differences with Labour. Understandably, they'll try mending fences pretty quickly if it means keeping power, but they know Brash has secured New Zealand's approval to break away from racial favouritism policies and the political correctness that is choking us.

I'm delighted to fall into the mainstream.

[YaYa123]

I don't know "nuttin bout" New Zealand politics, it's enough for me the poor folk there survived the very corrupt Carol Moseley Braun's stint as Ambassador.

(Clinton also gave the Bahamas Maxine Waters husband as Ambassador.)

But I am curious about news of the Pitcairn Island sex trial.

[SandRat]

Sounds like our Kiwi Cousins have had enough of a LEFT LIBERAL and are about to actually return to the values on which NZ was founded; starting with the principles laid out in the Magna Carta. Then if it comes from Lennin or Marx it goes out in the dustbin.

[ChadGore]

It's a great day ! Woohoo !

[shaggy eel]

,,, the Pitcairn Island deal is being run by an independent Commission of Inquiry in Auckland. I haven't seen much in newspapers about it's progress.

[shaggy eel]

BUMP