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HEA month after the New Zealand general election and major parties are on the campaign, wearing high-visibility jackets and face masks to visit factories, small businesses and schools across the country.
We asked The Guardian readers what issues they would vote on on October 17 and, perhaps surprisingly, for many, the pandemic took a back seat.
In 90% of responses, one theme prevailed: Dorothy, 71, from Auckland, summed it up in her two-word response to our call, which garnered hundreds of responses: “Climate change.”
In addition to an overwhelming interest in the climate crisis, persistent wealth inequality, poverty, the environment, and lack of housing affordability were also cited by many as issues that concern them.
With New Zealand officially entering recession this week, few said they would vote on economic policies or jobs. For many, 2020 seems to have crystallized their top priorities, summed up in a Maori proverb that is also a favorite of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Q What is the most important thing in the world? (What is the most important thing in the world?)
A man, a man, a man. (The people, the people, the people.)
What is your main electoral problem? Climate change
“Climate change, climate change, climate change …” Peter, 60, Blenheim
“Climate change policy: we are running out of time for a social, structural and significant change. If we do not act now to reduce emissions in the way that we can, the environmental and financial costs will be higher by orders of magnitude. If we don’t do something, everything, now we’re all screwed up in a monumentally irreparable way. ” Elke, 50, Wellington
“It seems that with the pandemic, the issue of the environment, once again, has been put aside. I will vote for the first time this year, and it will be for whoever provides the most comprehensive and ambitious environmental plan for our country ”. Joshua, 19, Auckland
“Climate action, welfare reform and wealth inequality”. Simon, 29, Mount Victoria
“[This is] an opportunity for New Zealand to review the future direction of our economy in terms of sustainability, climate change and the health and happiness of ALL of our people. It is time to rethink whether ‘economic growth is good’ “. Clint, 71, Auckland
“Simply put, the climate crisis is the only thing on my mind. Before the pandemic, experts called this the ‘climate choice’, and it still should be considered. ” Henry, 22
“Climate change, climate change, climate change.
” Melanie, 52, Auckland
COVID-19
“This election is entirely about our response to the global pandemic. We have been fortunate to have a very fortunate location, but that would have been nullified if we had not also had a very competent government. So for me, it will be about stability and consistency. ” Danny Walker, 43, Lower Hutt
Obtain and keep Covid-19 under control. Nothing positive can happen until Covid is out of the way. “ Philip, 65, Auckland
“Obviously who do I trust to manage the Covid-19 response?” Stefan, Northland, 40
“COVID-19. Everything else is secondary. We need to make sure Jacinda Ardern remains our prime minister.” John, 56, Auckland
“This pandemic has shown the importance of science. I will vote for people and parties that embrace science as the basis of their policies. ” Aubrey, 34, Dunedin
Poverty, inequality, social infrastructure
“My experience working in emergency housing has convinced me of two things, apart from climate change: poverty and inequality are the biggest problems New Zealand faces, and that the solution to this is in Maori hands, not Pakeha.” Duncan, 56, Auckland
“I am concerned that poverty, which was a major issue in previous elections, is not getting the attention it deserves this year. In these difficult times, we must not forget the underprivileged. ” Anonymous
“Family, equality, poverty” Ali, 56, Nelson
“New Zealand is a country far from the world, which dreams of a time when Covid has gone everywhere and it is safe to get out from under the bed. I’m looking for any sign of a party that has a plan to go back on international travel and solve the dire statistics of youth suicide and child poverty / illiteracy. ” Brian, 69, Wellington
“We are throwing all this money into [Covid] rebuild, but are we really going to build something worth having? Or will it be more? stuff? Is there a social infrastructure in which we can invest? What can we do to build resilience, not just wealth? Also … what the heck about Auckland’s public transport? ” Alastair, 30, Papakura
“Leadership that recognizes that neoliberal economics is hurting the world.” Ruth, 71, Bay of Plenty
“A just society, where health, housing, education and child poverty are taken seriously. A government that puts people first, especially now during Covid, because no economy will succeed if the health of the nation is not the first priority. ” Sherlee, 79, Canterbury
Referendums
“For me, in the 2020 elections, the referendums are a much higher priority than the general elections. I think it is better to take control of gangs and the black market in cannabis and give control to hospitals and people. As for euthanasia, it is something that I am very passionate about because I firmly believe in the right to live and die with dignity. For these two issues, I will definitely vote in favor. ” Madira, 20, Auckland
“Against the euthanasia bill. Against cannabis. Against handouts, against the increase in unemployment benefit, against everything that encourages dependence on social benefits ”. Margy, 48, Northland
Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
