Why bad policy feels as good in 2026 as it ever did – Andrew Ketels

Opinion byNZ Herald·3 Oct, 2026 03:14 AM5 mins to readAndrew Ketels was the Act Party’s chief of staff from 2020 to 2025 and has worked as an advisor to the National Party. He is currently head of government relations for corporate affairs firm Sherson Willis.‌St Kevin’s Arcade basement venue Double Whammy had turned down the tunes for just over an hour last night to fill its stage with politicians for an animated debate on issues affecting Auckland. Photo / NZMEIn October 2018, Dame Jacinda Ardern declared that New Zealanders were being “fleeced” by petrol companies.New Zealanders were concerned about rising petrol prices and Labour decided to target so-called importer margins – the amount petrol retailers have available to cover transport costs, the cost of selling fuel, and profits.