Despite Labour seeing the country through the biggest public health threat seen in the last century and despite improving numbers of houses and a reduction in child poverty some on the left are buying into National's despair lines. And the issues on which the next election will be fought are becoming clearer.
ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sits down with Stuff political editor Luke Malpass to review the year that was.
OPINION: Let’s ask the big political question of 2021. Has Jacinda Ardern’s Government got the will to be bold, to take risks even at the expense of some of its popularity, to tackle and resolve the biggest issues facing our country? Or will it continue to be directionless, timid, and afraid to court criticism and risk its poll ratings, and thereby let the disease of poverty and despair go unaddressed? Covid-19 aside, by biggest issues I mean the housing crisis, child poverty and climate change. Others would add mental health and economic recovery to that list.