The oldies

Simon Collins reports today on views amongst older NZers, as part of his ongoing series of 600 interviews.

The country’s northernmost publicans have not seen a National Party leader to admire since Sir Robert Muldoon lost power 24 years ago.

Rob’s Mob lives on!

“I didn’t like Don Brash any better. I liked Muldoon back in his day. You need someone strong in those parties. Helen Clark is strong, but she’s led by the Green Party.”

This will be news to the Greens!

But they are concerned about hospital waiting lists. As 65-year-old Trish Brett of New Plymouth put it: “There’s something wrong when people can win $5-6 million in Lotto and on the other side of things people are dying because they’re not getting the proper care.”

This is one of those weird statements. Lotto is nto funded by the Government. Far from it – Lotto raises money for the Government. I call it a stupidity tax 🙂

The Peters affair is driving away some former Labour voters, such as New Plymouth school hostel matron Kay Death, 52.

“I’m thinking of not voting,” she says. “I can’t be bothered with them.”

Former Labour-voting Foxton housewife Betty Cole, about 60, says: “After this Winston Peters debacle it’s definitely time for a change. I hope National will bring stability.”

Good good.