Anne Salmond: The chasm of division

2026-01-27 - 16:04

Comment: In the Kia Ora magazine on a flight to Gisborne, I read an article about Latesha Hearth, a younger generation Kiwi and co-founder of Raglan Food Co. It was a heart-warming story about how to make a difference by working on good projects with good people. Latesha said: “The next big thing is humanity figuring out how to collaborate and work through differences instead of wielding them to widen the chasm of division.” I agree. In the New Zealand Herald, another younger leader, Qiulae Wong, new leader of the Opportunity Party, made a similar point. In a speech in Hawkes’ Bay, she observed that at present in New Zealand politics: “We’ve got two blocks, a left block and a right block, that say they won’t work with the other side. We think that a centrist party like The Opportunity Party can hold both sides accountable and keep moving forward rather than playing into this tribal, us versus them division, which really seems to have taken hold in New Zealand.” In another Herald article, Phillip Mills, chief executive of Les Mills Gyms and a major political donor, explains why he is now splitting his support between Labour, the Greens and the Opportunities party. In the last election in Australia, as he notes, the Teals, centrist ‘blue-green’ candidates, won strong support: “What we’ve seen from the current coalition Government is some really environmentally destructive stuff ... there are a lot of people that are really pissed off about it, a lot of my National-voting friends ... this has turned them off,” he said. “I think there’s going to be a big Teal vote, and Opportunity are going to do well.” He is right that many voters are feeling lost and disenchanted – those who care about the environment, and democracy, and above all, those who are struggling to survive. As Qiulae Wong observes, in New Zealand at present, key challenges such as climate change, the environment, democratic values and a fair go for all are being turned into divisive issues, weakening economic opportunity and social cohesion. On the right, a National Prime Minister who seems wedded to laissez-faire politics (‘Look Ma, no hands!’) is letting two minor parties who are deploying inflammatory tactics – Act and New Zealand First – off the leash. Executive power is being used to benefit corporations and funders, while accountability to the electorate is undermined, and the environment is being trashed. On the left, the situation is not much better. During its last term in office, Labour also used executive power to impose minority projects, and failed to deliver on the needs and interests of many New Zealanders. Meanwhile the two left-wing minor parties – the Greens and Te Pāti Māori – seem self-obsessed, and playing to the fringes. That also leaves many voters feeling alienated. This is fertile ground for populist leaders who are prepared to play ‘us versus them’ games for political advantage. This kind of ‘pernicious polarisation’ is perhaps the most treacherous of all political ploys. Catholic vs Protestant, Serbs vs Croats, Aryan vs Jew, white vs black, Democrats vs Republicans, left vs right, ‘Iwi vs Kiwi’ – the categories don’t seem to matter. If a population is polarised and set at each other’s throats, as the rhetoric becomes more virulent, decent people on both sides are marginalised and actions become less restrained. In the United States, for instance, where the political divide has become a chasm, the Capitol has been stormed, the justice system weaponised against political opponents, and troops are sent against US citizens. Existential challenges such as climate change and care of the environment are being used to inflame populist angst. As Latesh Hearth, Qiulae Wong and Phillip Mills point out, divisions are also deepening in New Zealand, and that is dangerous. In turbulent times, a house divided against itself will not stand; and in our island nation, tackling climate change and care for the environment are matters of survival. How many wildfires, bridges washed away by floods, beaches covered with logs, houses buried by landslides, and lives and livelihoods destroyed must our leaders witness before they accept that fact? Flying in on helicopters and expressing sympathy for stricken families and communities is pointless if your policies are failing to address climate change, and making matters worse. New Zealanders who want a different kind of world, and a different kind of politics have choices to make this year. Politicians have only the power we give them, and if they abuse it, it can be taken away. Buying into divisive politics is self-destructive. Major efforts to revitalise participatory democracy, and to tackle climate change and care for the environment are desperately needed. This may require a new Teal-type party in Parliament, as Phillip Mills suggests. We can all make a difference by working on good projects, with good people, that brings hope and optimism. Democracy in New Zealand should be like that.