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Open Mike 19/10/2026
3 comments on “Open Mike 19/10/2026”
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https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2010548/backroads-to-the-beehive-coal-politics-and-division-on-the-west-coast
An interesting read thoughts from several voters
The ODT is running a readers poll "Is the government tone-deaf on fast-track concerns?"
To date: Yes 96 No 4
The government will lose votes on this-people in the Whakatipu Basin are furious (as are people in other parts of NZ, especially fast-track approvals around Auckland). Queenstown and Wanaka had planning and zoning in place for residential housing until 2048. There was no need for any fast-track development.
Bishop and Luxon are lying when they say fast-track was needed for housing in the Queenstown Lakes District. It was an excuse to grant inappropriate subdivision consents for their mega-rich mates to become richer.
Frank Mackasy's a sensible bloke who's opinions have been shared many times here on The Standard.
He's not fooled.
"The last barrier to a National-Act-NZ First-Opportunity coalition has been removed. Luxon may continue to protest any deal-making with OP, but that is now purely performative.
It’s game-on for a second-term Luxon-led government if voters cast their ballot for the Opportunity Party."
https://frankmacskasy.substack.com/p/opportunity-for-national