Sadly your political knowledge is rather short on NZ.
Muldoon was directly responsible for a big increase in socialist ic pratctices in NZ.Like giving the benefits to unmarried mothers,which encouraged the same.Like introducing an unfunded govt suparerannuation scheme.
Oddly it was a so thought,left wing govt in NZ that was responsible for most of the privatization in NZ,under Roger Douglas's economic stewardship.
Re selling of utilities.Some of that had disasterous consequences-like power prices going though the roof.You imply govt run businesses in NZ could have been better run.Very true generally.
Socialism providing a floor might be reasonable.In NZ though,near 40% of the population get some kind of benefit.Consider benefits for families,that has quite high income earners getting govt cash.We would both agree probably,and vote for tax cuts instead.Once in place,bad governance is hard to stop.
By the early 1990s NZ under Ruth Richardson,had sensible rightist policies,in my view.The Prime Minister,a right winger,sold her out for tax cuts-to win an election,and stuff the economy up for about 7 years,with major balance of payments problems,a product of those tax cuts.(Kiwis have a margin propensity to consume of over 90%,most of that goes on imported items)
AI
