Possible directions for New Zealand First

With New Zealand First now contemplating whether it can go on without Winston Peters, it's a good time to reconsider whether its political fortunes can be rectified.

The most glaring problem is the party's brand of populist Keynesian conservatism doesn't seem to have much appeal to younger voters or political activists, as highlighted by the near total absence of any pro-New Zealand First bloggers on the Internet.

Among the policy options and strategies that could be be considered include:

1. re-marketing the party as a European-styled, pro-federalist party
2. establishing a strong position on the Islam question
3. abandoning high-growth Keynesian economic policies and focusing on more moderate and sustainable growth with a greater environmental focus
4. highlighting the connection between low immigration and preservation of the environment.
5. taking a bold scientific-conservative approach in education
6. supporting a pro-Australia policy in areas like defence and economic cooperation

Linking federalism with conservative populism is proving a successful strategy in Continental country's like Italy, and in New Zealand's highly centralised political system, there is plenty of opportunity to take up federalist causes. A good example of such a cause, being the desire of many South Island West Coasters to be able to decide resource management issues for themselves.

Changing the party name to something like the National Democrats would also help in giving a fresher, more contemporary image, and contrast its populist stance with the increasingly undemocratic approach of Labour and National.

The Islam question may not be of major direct significance for New Zealand, but that's not to say New Zealanders don't hold strong views about it. New Zealand First should be taking the lead when it comes to articulating a coherent, conservative political position on assimilation of Muslim immigrants and dealing with the Islamic world.

Given that many of NZ First's policies have a decidely Australian feel, particularly in relation to economic matters, it makes sense for the party to cultivate closer trans-Tasman relations, an excellent starting point would to promote a new defence agreement with Australia in which New Zealand agrees to pull its weight in regards to air defence.

In the last election New Zealand First had a great opportunity to take Labour, National and the Greens to task over their support for the environment and immigration growth but not once did Peters make the point that population growth and conservation and incompatible.

Perhaps the main reason for this is that New Zealand First's attachment to unrealistically high economic growth rates means they've decided to keep quiet over environmental issues, and are thus missing out on taking a distinctive position on an issue of major importance to voters.

New Zealand First could seize the initiative in education policy by lowering university tertiary tuition fees and raising entrance requirements for university courses, while introducing IQ tesing in primary schools. This would allow us to offer a truly meritocratic education system and give us a competitive edge over English-speaking countries still bogged down by "no child left behind" egalitarianism.

Such a policy might even persuade a few Act voters to back the party.

Finally, another option is to abandon party politics all together, and establish public interest lobby groups in relevant policy areas like immigration and asset sales.

However, that would make New Zealand about the only western country with proportional representation that doesn't have a populist conservative/nationalist political party.