Greens and Te Pāti Māori political leaders face mixed marks in Mood of the Boardroom survey

“Swarbrick appeals to young people, but its thinking is full of simplistic slogans,” notes Silvana Schenone, managing director of Jarden.

The business world seems less convinced by Davidson’s leadership, which gets a rating of 1.82/5.

Many survey respondents express nostalgia for former co-leader James Shaw, who was frequently mentioned in the survey despite leaving politics this year.

“The Greens have not handled their problems very well. There is a lack of leadership and they are missing James Shaw,” says Peter Thompson, managing director of Barfoot & Thompson.

Another CEO adds: “Without James Shaw, they are a protest group with no grip on reality. »

NZ Windfarms director Craig Stobo suggests: “The Greens are losing the climate debate as unrealistic political aspirations meet the economic reality of transition costs. »

Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi received the lowest ratings among minority party leaders in the boardroom atmosphere, both scoring 1.69/ 5.

Respondents expressed concerns about their approach to politics, particularly regarding divisions.

Last month, Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris was referred to the Privileges Committee over remarks made in the House.

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi also attracted attention in May when she accused the government of seeking to “exterminate Māori” and called its policies “racism and Pākehā supremacy”.

His comments were quickly condemned by New Zealand leader Winston Peters, who called them “ignorant and offensive” and warned of a “race-based rabbit hole.” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon echoed the need for more measured rhetoric across the political spectrum.

“Te Pāti Māori have no interest in the economy and are only interested in their electoral base,” said one lobbyist.

Silvana Schenone comments: “Te Pāti Māori leaders have presented a number of unnecessarily aggressive (and divisive) views towards non-Māori and politics in general, without clear objective substance. »