The NZ Herald's editorial today regarding the party leaders debates is evidence of a smug arrogance that fair takes one's breath away.
No contest of values unless they are those advanced by Labour and National.
No broad policy being debated unless they belong to Labour and National.
No market of ideas competing on a level playing field for voter support....unless they belong to Labour and Naitonal.
None of that. All anyone else deserves in the Herald's view is arrogant disregard.
The Herald advances the view that elections "have become a two-tier contest", ignoring the reality there is only one tier of voters with each holding a vote equal to all others.
The Herald, once a supporter of MMP under Wilson & Horton's local ownership is now an opponent of MMP under the ownership of the foreign billionaire who clearly wants a right wing government ruling alone in New Zealand and is happy to sacrifice - undermine - our democratic values - and practices - to ensure he gets one. Of course they will claim they are defending these same values while dismissing the 20% to 30% of voters they explicitly have no regard for.
I won't be watching any leaders debates that do not include all the leaders. TV3 should have held their debate with two empty seats for those who refused to attend.
In any case, I won't be watching.
As for the Herald, I think it is now time for them to face genuine competition. They have abused their monopoly long enough. I'm far from alone in being disgusted by their abuse of their monopoly position in New Zealand's largest urban centre.
The Herald, today, disgusts me to a degree I have rarely felt toward anyone or thing. They have bared themselves as an enemy of democracy and debate. We can only treat them as such.
They have earned it today.
Daily review 15/09/2025
4 hours ago
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