Trans Tasman's Political Pulse - 15 May, 2017

Bridging The Disconnect -
Town v. Country

INSIGHTS ABOUT THE NEWS - Ministers are growing more concerned about a widening “disconnect” between rural and urban communities. Some environmental groups and MPs (mainly the Green Party, but also some in Labour) are keen to paint the rural productive sectors, and in particular the dairy industry, as the “enemy” in terms of water quality, land use and climate change policy. A similar attitude has also been taken to other parts of the productive economy such as the mining, oil and gas sectors. Comparable views are growing towards the booming tourism industry.

Many electorates on the fringes of cities are a mixture of rural and urban and there is no simple definition of a rural seat. Nevertheless, it is clear National, which won 41 of the 71 electorates in 2014, holds almost all of them. However it is only the Party Vote which counts in the end.

While much of the backlash is noise from groups pushing their own agenda and not reflective of public opinion, ministers fear there is growing misunderstanding of the importance of all parts of the NZ economy and way of life. The portrayal of some sectors as the “enemy” could become increasingly divisive.

Environmental groups are building up pressure over what they call “industrial dairying.” Fonterra has also reacted with its own expensive advertising campaign, but it will take time to influence opinions of those who have no idea where their food comes from, let alone the industries which underpin all NZers’ economic wellbeing.

National must convince urban voters it is managing the environmental pressures, and the rural sector it has not forgotten them. Meanwhile NZ First is chipping away in the provinces saying National has lost touch with its traditional roots.

Bridging the “disconnect” could be important for National’s chances of forming the next Govt.
See More Information At Trans Tasman's Sister Publication - The Main Report Farming Alert

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