NZ's Social Democracy Leadership Ends.

New Zealand is a small pacific nation with a total population that is much smaller than many cities around the world. Despite our size we do have a reputation for having an impact that is much greater than our size should dictate. Our sporting achievements, social justice leadership and political influence has provided us with useful recognition and respect. Much of this has been achieved by thumbing our noses at major powers through making stands on moral issues and doing things our own way at home. We once had the highest standard of living in the world and New Zealand was known as being a family friendly country with one of the best education systems in the world. New Zealand was described as the Scandinavia of the Pacific because of our affluent, egalitarian society and governance that aligned with other social democracies.

While the last thirty years or so saw Neo-liberal economics infiltrating our governance, and increasing inequality, we were still leading the world in aspects of social democratic legislation like our ACC and the RMA. Both Labour and National Governments used to support progressive legislation and National's Simon Upton reviewed the RMA bill that Geoffrey Palmer had introduced and strengthened the environmental protections before it was passed into law. 

Under this current National Government, John Key's relaxed leadership and offhand manner has fronted some very determined attacks on the very things that won us international respect and ensured fairness to all was a guiding principle. Sadly we are no longer being recognised for being a progressive country, but as a country that is squandering the advantages we had and being a lap dog to larger powers. I have tried summerise our decline:

Global Leadership

• In my lifetime Holyoake, Kirk, Lange and Clark were respected on the global stage for their support of social democratic values and moral leadershp. 
• We now have a government that is willing to ignore atrocities for trade and is an active participant in a dubious spy club. 
• John Key's international image is of a largely unknown minor leader who is eager for any attention. He has been described as a galloping colonial clot and was ridiculed on an American TV show for his ponytail pulling. 
• Holyoake through to Clark made principled stands on environmental threats such as nuclear warfare and waste that were affecting the world, this Government has been internationally criticised for our weakening environmental protections and increasing carbon emissions. 

Education

• Clarence Beeby is widely recognized for lifting New Zealand into the position of being a world leader in education. He moved the country away from narrow, restrictive testing regimes and concentrated on lifting professional capability and meeting the individual needs of children.
• The National Government has reversed the focus on evidence based change, reduced professional input and returned to narrow testing regimes. We have dropped from the top ten in world rankings to as low as 23rd. 
• I have listed the numerous ways the Government has dismantled our once strong public education system to favour the rich and private business. 

Employment

• New Zealand's social democratic approach once supported the principles of full employment, the forty hour week and a living wage.
• There has been an erosion over the last 30 years of union membership (now only 20% unionised) and under the current government we have seen a growth of a low waged underclass. The working poor is a recognised demographic that was not apparent thirty years ago. Migrant worker abuse is common, zero hour contracts have been allowed and even basic rights such as tea breaks have become negotiable.
• Amongst developed nations (OECD) New Zealand is now regarded as a low wage economy, and we have one of the greatest percentages of those working more than 50 hours a week and also having one of the highest levels of underemployment.   

Child Welfare/Housing

• Giving all children a good start in life was seen as important in a social democracy and we were once at the forefront of child friendly initiatives. We introduced dental nurses in all schools, a generous universal family benefit payment to support young families. In the 1950's we had one of the highest home ownership rates in the world and one of the best records for child health and welfare. Most schools had a swimming pool (or close access to a pool) and regular physical education was an important part of the school programme.
• We are now ranked in the bottom three of the OECD for child health and family poverty affects 25% of our children and it has been claimed that 50% of our children experience poverty at some stage during their childhood.   
• We are seeing a steady increase in poor child health (Rheumatic Fever and respiratory illnesses) that is directly related to poorly maintained and overcrowded housing. Less than 50% of families own their home and there are no minimum standards for rental houses. There is a waiting list of around 5,000 in urgent need of social housing.
• We have a shocking level of domestic violence and yet there have been cuts in essential services helping victims of abuse. 
• Child obesity is common because of poor nutrition and low levels of exercise. School pools are being removed and the focus of schools is less about producing well rounded, healthy children, but meeting narrow academic criteria. 

Public Health

• Preventative health (within the knowledge of the time) was considered an important element of health care. There were numerous community and maternity hospitals around the country and new mothers were well supported in hospital and in their homes. Hospitals had a high level of clinical leadership and New Zealand surgeons were at the forefront of innovative practices and treatment. 
• Despite the difficulty of funding the growing costs of new treatments and modern technology, spending in health is currently not even keeping up with inflation and there have been substantial cuts in preventative health at the very time we have a growing crisis in preventable conditions such as diabetes.  Cuts to essential services are now common so that DHBs can work within tightening budgets. Health outcomes are seeing us fall behind internationally regarding common conditions and there is a growing disparity in health outcomes for those with different socio-economic backgrounds. 
• There has been concern expressed from the medical profession about the potential weakening of Pharmac through the signing of the TPP agreement. This would see a substantial increase in medical costs to support the profits of drug companies.

Taxation

• One of the hallmarks of a social democracy is an acceptance that Governments have a role in providing a strong base of services and support for all citizens. Wealthy New Zealanders used to pay a much higher percentage of their income in tax and Government funding in the 50s and 60s allowed for high levels of government services and employment. 
• The social contract that all citizens contribute according to their means has been substantially eroded. Tax avoidance and evasion is common amongst the very rich and many corporates now evade tax. 
• The National Government cut tax for the rich at the very point its income was constrained through the economic recession. 
• Cuts in government services is the necessary outcome of a reduced income and despite New Zealand experiencing substantial increases in economic growth we have not seen a comparable growth in government revenue.

Democratic Government

• Another hallmark of a social democracy is strong public participation in the democratic process. New Zealand once had a high level of union and political party membership and in 1984 almost 94% of voters did so.
• An important part of the democratic process is a strong 4th Estate and most social democracies have well funded public broadcasting.
• In 2011 the voter turnout to had dropped to 74% and for local body elections it has dropped to 40%.
• Under this Government we have seen an erosion and restriction of public information and an increase in urgency to progress legislation with limited public scrutiny. 
• National wiped our remaining public funded TV channel and has restricted other funding to public broadcasters like National radio. We have much fewer jobs for journalists and a growth in PR and media advisors instead. The capacity for robust scrutiny of Government performance has diminished. 

While I accept that neoliberal economics within governance is now a dominating factor around the world and a global wealth capture (well described by Piketty), New Zealand doesn't have to follow the same path. It now seems that we have well and truly lost our reputation as a social democracy leader and an innovator in social justice legislation. We have recently been identified as the country that has suffered the most from a restricted economy due to a steady growth in inequality. We are being led by a Government with a limited moral compass, that would rather be a loyal lacky to bullying powers than make a principled stand.

Rather than seeing the economy as something that should serve all people, as social democracies did in the past, people now are expected to support an economy that benefits a wealthy elite.