This is edition 2026/079 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.
Enjoy!
1. Don't Go There!
Chris Trotter
- 🏛️ Historical lesson ignored: National’s previous fallout with Winston Peters cost them nine years out of power; they seem poised to repeat this mistake.
- ⚖️ Coalition risks underestimated: National’s attempts to undermine NZ First could backfire, leaving the Right without a crucial coalition partner.
- 📉 Poll implications: Weakening NZ First may recover some voters for National, but not enough to reach John Key-era levels; mid-30s polling likely insufficient for victory.
- 🔄 Populist backlash: Peters could respond to perceived betrayal with a strong populist counter-attack, consolidating NZ First support and challenging National.
- 🧾 Political risk: Nicola Willis’ comments questioning Peters’ competence could provoke him to showcase effectiveness, increasing political tension during an “austerity” Budget.
- 🤝 Labour-NZ First coalition potential: A populist push by Peters could align NZ First with Labour, appealing to voters seeking balance between pragmatism and populist representation.
- 💥 National’s strategic blunder: Attacking Peters and NZ First risks creating the very coalition National sought to prevent, highlighting their misjudgment of political dynamics.
- 🧠 Leadership contrast: National’s leaders historically struggled to sell pragmatic strategies internally, while Peters’ political acumen consistently maximizes voter appeal.
- 📌 Key insight: National underestimates the necessity of respecting Peters’ influence; failing to do so could make a Labour-NZ First coalition seem inevitable, despite National’s intentions.
