The most obvious objection, but also the least politically correct, is that Little’s reforms will end up advantaging Labour and the Greens. All the historical evidence suggests that the greater the turnout in a New Zealand general election, the more likely it is that a left-wing government will be returned.

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Known principally for his political commentaries in The Dominion Post, The ODT, The Press and the late, lamented Independent, and for "No Left Turn", his 2007 history of the Left/Right struggle in New...