We’re awash with polls.  

The Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll and research from Horizon.  

It all says we’re not happy with the country right now. Therefore, we’re not happy with the Government.   

And no kidding - things have not been good for a while now.  

No matter who was in power a correction was needed.  

We swamped the nation with cash at the start of the pandemic. Unnecessarily we can now say with hindsight, and then we paid the price.  

So, the Government is going to be on the backfoot, no matter who they are.  

I actually think the surprising thing is how the coalition’s support is holding up.  

Sure, Luxon has his problems. Sure, Seymour and Peters say the most triggering things knowing that there’s a bunch of people who love it.  

But are the opposition making any sense at all and acting like they’d do better?  

Chris Hipkins over the weekend played cagey with his party's positions,  

When asked about the capital gains tax, he prevaricated and then talked cryptically about tax reforms. 

And that’s about all the policy talk I can rustle up from Labour.  

The Greens and the Māori party just keep on saying what they always say, but just personally they appear to be still on holiday.  They’re certainly not in the house.  

So, all this poll says is that our blocs are evenly matched in tribal terms - the trick will be the swinging voters who vote for self interest.

But let’s see what things will be like in 18 months' time.  

A poll at this time is like some small talk at a party that hasn’t started yet. 

We’re awash with polls. &nbsp;
The Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll and research from Horizon. &nbsp;
It all says we’re not happy with the country right now. Therefore, we’re not happy with the Government. &nbsp;&nbsp;
And no kidding - things have not been good for a while now. &nbsp;
No matter who was in power a correction was needed. &nbsp;
We swamped the nation with cash at the start of the pandemic. Unnecessarily we can now say with hindsight, and then we paid the price. &nbsp;
So, the Government is going to be on the backfoot, no matter who they are. &nbsp;
I actually think the surprising thing is how the coalition’s support is holding up. &nbsp;
Sure, Luxon has his problems. Sure, Seymour and Peters say the most triggering things knowing that there’s a bunch of people who love it. &nbsp;
But are the opposition making any sense at all and acting like they’d do better? &nbsp;
Chris Hipkins over the weekend played cagey with his party's positions, &nbsp;
When asked about the capital gains tax, he prevaricated and then talked cryptically about tax reforms.&nbsp;
And that’s about all the policy talk I can rustle up from Labour. &nbsp;
The Greens and the Māori party just keep on saying what they always say, but just personally they appear to be still on holiday. &nbsp;They’re certainly not in the house. &nbsp;
So, all this poll says is that our blocs are evenly matched in tribal terms - the trick will be the swinging voters who vote for self interest.
But let’s see what things will be like in 18 months' time. &nbsp;
A poll at this time is like some small talk at a party that hasn’t started yet.&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Andrew Dickens: It's too early for polls

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0a02c104-f59f-4574-9a82-b29c0121374f/transcript