What is the plan for the future of NZ?

I have been reflecting lately on why I get so frustrated about this time of the political cycle, in the lead up to the election, and the only thing I can put it down to is lack of a future plan for NZ from any of the political parties. They all say they have a plan but largely they are speaking about solving our most current problems (like potholes, or cell phones in schools) rather than the compelling future they have for our country. I am very aware that this is probably due to our democratic process and 3-year election cycle but in the end, I think it is a fundamental lack of leadership that is the missing piece in the puzzle.??

I guess what I am looking for is the vision for NZ in say 15 years that creates the greatest opportunity for us to thrive on the local, national and international stage. In the absence of this, we have a political system that is grounded in fighting current fires and pulling levers that may have short term impact on something but cause long-term problems in others. Without a clear and compelling future, we are left debating issues purely from a selfish, ‘what’s in it for me right now’ methodology. Take the gnarly issue of the wealth tax that seems to raise its head every election cycle. I haven’t analysed it to death, but do I want to pay one, selfishly probably not, do I think we need one, probably yes. But would I look at it differently if the issue was discussed from the frame of a future plan for NZ.??

For example, imagine a scenario where our political leaders said –??

“We have deeply explored the future and taking into account the challenges and opportunities that we are presented within the world, for a thriving NZ, we need to focus on the opportunities presented by technology, the productivity of our businesses/workforce and our place as a global citizen (on key subjects such as ethical trade and sustainability). We are charting our path as a country towards this, but we are realistic that this probably going to take us 10-15 years to create a thriving NZ. There are many pathways to this future, but we believe that the best path towards that is our commitment to education – both for our children and our current workforce.??

A focus on education is going to cost us as a nation and there are many pathways to fund that – i.e. increase current tax rates, reduce spending in other areas or the introduction of a wealth tax. On balance the wealth tax gives us the greatest possible future to support education and for NZ to thrive.”??

Would we think about it differently if we knew that a tax on wealth would be directed solely into making NZ better for our children and future generations with an unrelenting commitment to education – against the idea that a wealth tax would just be directed into more of the sh!t that we are dealing with today with no direction or real hope for the future.??

Anyway, where am I going with this – make a point you might be saying – or is this just another political rant.??

I guess my point is – in the end taking a stand for the future takes leadership in spite of the circumstances. It takes courage to be able to look past the popular position of the day and create a future that is beyond what we see is predictable and then create the pathways to get there. It is management’s tasks to manage the predictable, it is a leaders job to create the possible. In the end I don’t think I am actually frustrated by the politics, I am frustrated by the lack of leadership. And my hope is that someone will emerge with a plan for NZ – something that really makes a difference and is willing to take a stand for what is right for our future generations.?

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Footnote – I don’t actually blame the politicians – they are all operating inside the construct of politics and most of that is actually our fault. Unfortunately, I think democracy ultimately breeds selfishness and it is a good model until selfishness gets us into trouble. I think there is a new model of political governance somewhere on the horizon, I just don’t know what it is yet, and it will take leadership to get us there!?

Final footnote – I have no desire to be a politician!?