Editorial: Politicians can’t shift responsibility when it doesn’t go their way

PremiumEditorialEditorialNZ Herald4 Aug, 2026 05:00 PM3 mins to readPrime Minister Christopher Luxon during the post-Cabinet press conference, where he apologised for his comments about small business owners. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Politicians of all stripes love to present their ideas as a panacea.For the past few years, National has said it is the party to “get New Zealand back on track”, rebuild the economy and back business.

It hitched its wagon to that particular outcome despite the multiple factors –