Tim Dower: It's no small ask to appeal to mainstream New Zealand

Chris Hipkins is obviously not a man who's afraid of a challenge, and taking on the role of Prime Minister will be his biggest one yet.

Quick refresher here: the last OneNews Kantar poll put Labour 5 points behind National, and still sinking with 33 points.

The Nats clawed their way another point higher in the December result to 38, add in Act's 11 and you have 49: enough for a secure majority in the House.

The left coalition, Labour and the Greens? 42.

But a lot can change over a Christmas holiday, and a lot has.

It's going to take more than that though to turn the tide.

The advantage Hipkins has is that his party is in office, so it can take direct action and he can do it quickly.

But what can he actually do to reduce the impact of inflation? And those crippling mortgage payments more people will be feeling the closer we get to the election?

It's all very well to say this is the focus of our attention, it’s something else to actually steer things in a different direction. Especially when so many workers say they need a pay rise.

He could cut taxes for low income families, but the fact is half the population effectively pays no income tax right now.

He could cut GST on food, but that's unaffordable.

He could raise benefits again, but that won't fly with those of us who do pay tax.

If Hipkins wants to appeal to the hearts and minds of mainstream New Zealand he'd need to unwind Three, Four, Five Waters, dump the Maori Health Authority, income insurance, fix immigration, and come down hard on crime.

It's no small ask.

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