WAATEA NEWS COLUMN: Is an English-first rebrand of Government Departments the most pressing issue confronting Aotearoa during the worst energy crisis ever?

English-first policy New Zealand — that’s what some politicians are focusing on while the country stares down a worsening energy crisis. As fuel risks, inflation, and unemployment climb, critics are asking why the Government’s attention is anywhere but the basics.

Right now, New Zealand is confronting economic predictions caused by the worst energy crisis ever that will see inflation above 4%, unemployment above 6% and the actual possibility we will run dry of fuel.

The head of the International Energy Agency has called the shutting down of the Strait of Hormuz as a worse energy crisis than the 1970’s oil shock plus the Ukrainian War combined.

So what are our Politicians doing?

Instead of solving the crisis, this is the priority?

Well ACT MP, Todd Stephenson is writing to Judith Collins complaining that their racist ‘English First’ declaration for Ministries isn’t happening fast enough…

…this petty, hateful and spiteful ‘English First’ nonsense is apparently more important than you know, coming up with solutions to the worst Energy Crisis ever.

This is so bewilderingly childish at a time of intense crisis. Many whānau are being locked out of driving anywhere because the fuel price increase has crippled their agency. People who were just holding on by their fingernails in a terrible cost of living crisis are now being punched in the guts while trying to hold on and the Coalition is squabbling over English First legislation.

This is what culture war politics looks like in real time

Voters in New Zealand should feel very let down by this coalition Government.

A crisis is here and all National, ACT and NZ First can seem to achieve are petty culture war revenge fantasies masquerading as social policy.

You should feel very angry.

Because here’s the reality — when a Government chooses culture war distractions during a crisis, it’s not because they don’t understand the problem. It’s because they’d rather you argue about something else while it gets worse.