This is edition 2026/008 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Hi all,
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
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Luxon’s very low key start to the year
Bryce Edwards
- 🏖️ Low-energy return: Christopher Luxon’s first major 2026 speech after his holiday signalled a potentially dull election year, heavy on slogans but light on substance.
- 🏢 Business-friendly but empty: Delivered to 700 business leaders in Auckland, the speech announced no new policies, no election date, and barely addressed global instability.
- 😐 Flat reception: Commentators across outlets described the address as muted, hollow, and uninspiring, with little audience engagement beyond polite clapping.
- 🧑💼 Managerial tone: Analysts agreed the speech focused on reassurance rather than inspiration, emphasising steadiness, caution, and restraint over ambition or transformation.
- 🏷️ Overused slogan: “Fixing the Basics, Building the Future” was repeated relentlessly, criticised as wordy and recycled from earlier speeches.
- 🧘 Deflecting responsibility: Luxon repeatedly stressed “control what you can control,” acknowledging economic pain while distancing himself from global factors like Donald Trump.
- 🚫 Notable omissions: The speech ignored coalition partners Act and NZ First, barely mentioned healthcare, and skipped housing entirely.
- 🗣️ Opposition pounces: Labour’s Chris Hipkins dismissed it as “management speak mumbo jumbo,” accusing Luxon of choosing slogans over substance.
- 📉 Economic dilemma: Luxon struggled to balance claims of recovery with ongoing hardship, creating mixed messaging about National’s progress after two years.
- 💼 Narrow policy focus: The few concrete areas mentioned—KiwiSaver, NCEA reform, and RMA changes—were seen as safe but unambitious.
- 🛑 Playing it safe: Commentators largely agreed the speech was low-risk, low-reward, shrinking Luxon’s target but offering little vision for a second term.
- 🌧️ Tone-deaf optics: Critics noted the contrast between a lavish Auckland venue and flood-hit regions like Northland, questioning Luxon’s leadership instincts.
- ❓ Open question for 2026: With National polling around 30%, the central issue remains whether Luxon’s pitch of competent, cautious management is enough to win re-election.
