Wellington Drinkers Tell Us What They Care About This Election

This year’s election campaign is starting to resemble the Wellington weather, with scandals pummelling the political landscape like gusts of wind, making you wonder when the next storm will hit. From the Labour wave that is Jacindamania to the sudden squalls that have been the Green Party membership changes, the skies are looking pretty dark right through until September 23.

We braved the storm and headed out in the nation’s capital as we continued our survey of national opinion in New Zealand’s pubs. We ended up on Cuba Street at J.J. Murphy & Co., not too far from the Beehive itself, asking Wellingtonians what they thought about gender in politics, immigration, and Todd Barclay—who, as it turns out, most of them had never heard of.

Reuben, 22
Builder

What are you concerned about right now in New Zealand?
The fact that young people are pretty much priced out of the housing market. We can’t buy our own homes.

Should gender matter in politics?
Well because I hang out with tradies all day I know a lot of them are voting Labour because she’s got a really pretty face. But that’s pretty much my only opinion on it. Other than that, no.

Does it matter if political parties are having internal issues?
To me, I saw that Metiria Turei resigned as leader of the Greens and the only opinion I could make of it was, it’s so personal, you know? Like she’s supposed to be there representing the people and she’s having this big drama about herself. It’s just like, for fuck’s sake, get it together. Can you pass that on to Parliament for me, if you have the chance? Reuben says fuck’s sake, get it together.

Immigration
Being racist to Chinese people.

Todd Barclay
Gnarls Barkley

Future
Good life

Lizzie, 23
Support worker

What’s your biggest concern politics-wise?
Getting a pay rise, maybe?

Does it matter if the leader of your country is personable and friendly?
Not really, because if a politician is a personable person they’re going to be fake, because they’re a politician. They’re going to be trying to win you over, but I just want more money.

Do you think they actually care about people?
I think they try to. I think they want to, but I think they don’t actually know how to.

Do you think the young people of New Zealand can have much of an influence?
I think they should.

Time for word association. Immigration
England

Todd Barclay
I don’t know who the fuck that is.

Future
Success, maybe?

Cody, 26
Scaffolder

What do you care about right now in terms of politics?
I’m concerned about National getting full power, and I’m concerned that the Greens won’t get enough, and I want the babe in Labour who’s just taken office to get enough seats for her party so that she has a say.

Do you think a leader like Jacinda Ardern can make a difference if she gets into office?
Absolutely. I think females have had success in our country. Jenny Shipley, Helen Clark, they had good success and the people have appreciated and followed them. I think the fact that John Key stepped down before the end of his term was like the most pussy thing he could have done. I honestly think he should have stuck it out but getting Bill English in, he’s a good face, so it was a smart move.

Do you think New Zealand could see something similar to Brexit or Trump?
No, not at all. We’re New Zealand. Fuck no. There’s more sheep than us! We don’t have to deal with leaving the EU, we don’t deal with running the biggest military in the world, we just deal with growing grass and smoking it.

Todd Barclay
Who’s that?

Immigration
Chinese

Future
Recall, like you know that movie Total Recall?

Leo, 20
Mechanic

What’s your biggest concern in New Zealand right now?
How we still haven’t legalised marijuana, because why not? It’s a great drug, it doesn’t hurt anyone. Alcohol hurts people, weed doesn’t. And also immigration laws. A lot of people from my work have to get sent home because of these new laws about English and being able to read and speak and write correctly. It’s pretty ruthless. I don’t like it.

Jacinda Ardern is gaining a lot of momentum at the moment.
I say good for her! Good on her for actually stepping up. Since Helen Clark, it’s been a while. And Bill English is a piece of shit. I just don’t like him.

Why don’t you like him?
He lives up the road from me and he’s got security guards all the time that stare me out all the time, and I just don’t like him.

Do you think it’s important for politicians to be personable?
I don’t really think it’s important, but if they do right for the country and they do good things, and they’re a horrible person in person it doesn’t really matter. If they’re all face and a shit show, nah, it’s no good.

Immigration
Friends

Todd Barclay
No clue

Future
War

Celine, 18
Student

What are you worried about most in New Zealand?
The environment. I love our clean green, I love going hiking and all that stuff, especially down south, and I don’t want any of that to be ruined, so that’s my main concern at the moment.

With Metiria Turei stepping down, two Green MPs quitting, and Jacinda Ardern taking over the Labour leadership, does the turmoil in the parties concern you?
Not really. I feel like people are just having a change, you know? It’s good to change. I know a lot of stuff is going on, with parties and people and stuff but someone new is going to step in and they could be even better, we just don’t know.

Would that make you re-think your vote?
I don’t really follow the people exactly, I follow more about the party and what they are promoting rather than the actual leader.

Does gender in politics matter to you? Should that factor into discussion at all?
Being a woman, I like to see a female up there doing her thing, but also the best person for the job. Whoever does the best job is suited for the role, but I like to see a lady doing her thing up there, definitely.

Immigration
Syria. In a good way, not a bad way.

Todd Barclay
Sorry what? I don’t know who that is.

Future
Global warming

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