As much as politics frustrates and fascinates me, I enjoy our current election system. It does allow for a more accurate reflection and some smaller parties being able to swing some weight around, like the Greens. A more flexible and reflective power structure has had plenty of positive effects - I learned to count in Māori before English, but, gun to their heads, my parents could maybe manage 'hello' and 'goodbye' in Māori.

So yeah, definitely on the right track, largely for the reasons you suspected. We do seem to be engulfed in that "American" style of politics from time to time though. There's a better descriptor I'm sure, and I doubt it's a strictly American thing, but it's all I could land on at the moment given how much American media we consume here. Divisive. Aggressive. Attack plans, but offer nothing of your own. Change topic before you can be adequately questioned.

Right now the 'Opposition' doesn't need a plan, they can operate on just being 'not Labour' and it can get them votes. However, those voters are quick to forget that John Key campaigned in 2007 on fixing the housing crisis, and upon getting into power in 2008-onwards referred to the prices as a 'challenge'. In 2021 we bought our 1940 era house for just under $600k.

Sorry, I'm wanking on. I agree with your assessment, and I think we're in a better place than most!