The crony capitalism of NZ First
NZ First has always thrived on political theatre and culture war distraction, but behind the noise sits something far more familiar in New Zealand politics — the quiet machinery of crony capitalism. The latest controversy surrounding a donor appointment to KiwiRail raises uncomfortable questions about whose interests are really being served.
Put aside the culture war revenge fantasies.
Put aside trawling the sub 5% swamp for anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorists.
Put aside the anti-Trans spite and Jacinda malice.
Put aside the donations from mining, gambling, fishing for grubby deals.
NZ First’s KiwiRail Appointment Raises Conflict Questions
Nothing sums up the Crony capitalism of NZ First better than the appointment of a Donor with clear-cut conflicts of interest to KiwiRail.
Critics Warn of Trucking Industry Influence
…how much power does the Trucking Industry buy in this country?
They have total control and here NZ First are handing them a means to kill off KiwiRail!
The fact so many NZ First voters are agreeable to this crony capitalism reflects poorly upon them all!
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360949802/iconic-brands-be-phased-out-heinz-watties-announces-major-nz-shake
Another business to go by the wayside because of how this Government runs the economy. Good work Winston et al.
While I agree with you that this government is a disaster I wonder how much of the closure is due to high value property that they could lease or sell along with the ability to import cheap food and on-sell at profit instead of having extensive manufacturing operations. You would think that having local food security should be a priority however priority is given to profit for the few instead.
And you can add Greymouth Petroleum to the list of paymasters too, as No Right Turn observed today.
“The gas industry was pleased. So pleased that Greymouth Petroleum, one of the chief lobbyists for the change, has just given $100,000 to each coalition party though one of its subsidiaries, GMP Environmental”
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2026/03/payment-for-services-rendered.html
That’s breadcrumbs for being able to walk away from your environmental liabilities.
NZ First can be bought out for a can of bacon grease.