Michael Wood speaks up for government

One of the best performing Ministers in the Jacinda government, Michael Wood, has strongly defended his government about the handling of pandemic and the general economic performance in New Zealand. In an exclusive interview with The Indian News last Friday, he spoke strongly about government’s decisions on long and extended lockdowns and staying firm on not opening borders.

He asserted that it is because of this decision that New Zealand has got one of the lowest mortality rates and the lowest infection rates, anywhere in the world. He reiterated that the whole world was caught up by the sudden surge of the virus and no government or experts had any clue about how to deal with the situation. He also maintained that decisions can be changed according to changed circumstances. If the circumstances change then decisions also change to go with the flow. He said it is easy to talk about government decisions especially when you are in the opposition, but they would also be doing the same thing if they were in in this situation, under these circumstances. Minister defended his government’s policy of supporting businesses and the common man by providing subsidies right through this period. Government’s this decision kept the unemployment rate in check even in these challenging times. He claimed the poor and needy were very well looked after by his government even in one of the worst economic synopses in history.

The Minister also defended his governments’ decision of not opening the borders early and not dismantling MIQs in New Zealand. He gave the example of the first case of Omicron been detected in New Zealand was detected in a MIQ facility. He questioned what would have been the outcome if there was no MIQ in the country. He said his government is empathetic towards separated families, but the safety and wellbeing of every New Zealander is the governments topmost priority. No one anticipated that the situation could change so sudden and so unfavourable. The Minister also defended his government on handling of the economy, and he said this is the best possible anyone could have performed under the circumstances. He brushed off the claim of one of the top economic commentators Hickey Bernard that poor have gone to become poorer and rich have become richer during this period. He said the inequality has been in New Zealand for almost 40 years and that’s why this government is supporting a minimum living wage for the lowest in the ladder. On being asked about high local transport costs in New Zealand and the delay in some of the transport projects, Minister went defensive explaining why these could not be done it earlier and what his government is planning to do now. Minister couldn’t give any time frame about when the delayed projects would start or when will they see the light of the day. He also defended high costs of local transportation and said its not costly for regular users if they use the monthly hop cards. These monthly passes make the travelling really cost effective for students and regular office goers. He also disclosed that his government is planning to provide half price hop cards to people on low incomes and with Community Cards, from July,2022. Minister concluded with the firm resolution of his government irrespective of some very high costs involved to it that for his government, the safety and wellbeing of the New Zealanders is paramount. - Yugal Parashar