an election..

Some days we find it hard to know whether news headlines signal the coming election or a rugby tournament .

Our political environment has become, this year, more and more like a series of aggressive rugby games. Several largely male teams charge and tackle. There are a lot of missed kicks, a few tries, endless rucks in the dirt. And no clear purpose except the thrill of combat and the urgent desire to dominate and win. On Friday 19^th September the last scrum will go down, and on Saturday the points will be counted. Some injuries may take much longer to heal.

As we write, we’re still hoping for a miracle – a respectful Labour-Greens coalition government supported by Maori and Internet-Mana parties, and NZ first, which will negotiate decently and work towards a much healthier society and environment.

Or at the very least, a government which has learnt several important lessons about what New Zealanders want, and so is now committed to shaping:

• a country where all our people, especially our children, are fed, housed and educated with loving care

• a society based on respect and trust, not snoops and spies and over-zealous police

• a nation which cherishes sovereignty, doesn’t toady to bigger and more aggressive nations, and promotes peace and justice at home and abroad

• a land which is beautiful, productive and protected against exploitation and destruction of its environmental resources