On November 7th, there will be an election in New Zealand for a new government. The present coalition government is made up of three right-wing parties whose main focus seems to be legislating so that the rich get richer, embracing mining as the way into a glorious future, and not worrying about the environment, as that impedes the government in its efforts to grow the economy. One minister wears a cap emblazoned with “Drill baby, drill.” Trump has his devotees here for sure.
“Growing the economy” takes priority over the growing numbers of unemployed and homeless, over those who cannot readily access health care, and over any environmental concerns. I don’t think our country has been so divided for many decades.
In a report researched and authored by the Helen Clark Foundation, Social Cohesion in New Zealand 2026, we learn that while 84% feel they belong in New Zealand, a significant number felt they no longer belonged to a particular local community, only two out of five New Zealanders trust the government, young people in particular feel isolated, one in four go without regular healthy meals, and growing numbers are becoming less hopeful. For more information, see:
Social Cohesion in New Zealand 2026 – Helen Clark Foundation
Social Cohesion revealed that a surprising number of New Zealanders were concerned about growing disunity. The government’s willingness to embrace policies that tolerate discrimination, racism, poverty, and inequality, all in the pursuit of growing the economy concern many. For more information, see:
What do NZ voters really care about? A global comparison – Dennis Wesselbaum
New Zealanders are not alone in recognising that social cohesion has been impacted by Covid lockdowns, by extreme weather events, and more recently by America and Israel’s war in the Middle East. Diminishing social cohesion has meant political parties on the right have recognised that Trumpian-like tactics work. Right wing parties everywhere seem committed to scapegoating: let’s go for refugees, migrants, people of colour, or in the case of India go for Muslims and Christians.
Even more concerning is Trump’s support for politicians such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and Brazil’s Flávio Bolsonaro or Elon Musk’s support for right-wing groups in England. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus teaches that no one can serve two masters, one must choose between God and Mammon. It is not hard to see what right-wing politicians are choosing in New Zealand.
Pope Leo tells us that:
“in a divided world, the Holy Spirit teaches us to walk together in unity.”1
Many of our politicians seem to be slow learners.
1 Pope Leo’s Pentecost Vigil sermon, 7 June 2025:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/homilies/2025/documents/20250607-veglia-pentecoste.html
Susan Smith RNDM is a lecturer emerita in The University of Auckland’s Department of Theology. Her PhD was on developments in Catholic missiology after Vatican II. After her retirement from The University of Auckland, Susan also provided NT modules for the University of Newcastle, Australia, and a Women in Leadership module for Duquesne University. Susan lives with another member of her congregation in Whangarei, New Zealand, where both are committed to exploring experientially what it means to live in an eco-community. Both are involved in neighborhood environment organizations. They are particularly interested in what might shape eco-spiritualities in New Zealand.
