Find a vision for the future

Cunliffe has been urged to govern in a modern fashion if elected prime minister. Photo / Jason Oxenham

CEOs' advice if David Cunliffe should become prime minister

Chief executives weren't short of suggestions on how David Cunliffe should run New Zealand if he becomes prime minister at the September 20 election.

Forsyth Barr's Neil Paviour-Smith said Labour had a history of being prepared to make social and economic reforms with a vision in mind. "Whether or not the policy is popular, leading with a future vision as opposed to a sense of correcting past issues would be popular."

"Face up to the elephants in the room and engage the country in a debate around the things that matter - compulsory KiwiSaver, the retirement age and mineral extraction," said a professional services firm boss.

Z Energy's Mike Bennetts said Cunliffe would have to build an effective coalition of seeming disparate groups on the left.

"Abandon his left wing cant and govern in a modern market fashion," snorted an agriculture chief. "Fat chance with the Greens in tow!"

CEOs urged him not to allow minor support parties to dominate. "He will need to be able to bring cohesion to what appears a disparate group of parties needed to form a government," said Deloitte's Thomas Pippos.

"Current polling suggests Labour will need several partners which makes final policy outcomes difficult to assess," cautioned LGFA's Craig Stobo."Nevertheless it would be wise to ensure the driver of employment in New Zealand - business - feels confident about the future."

This viewpoint was shared by Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett: "He is smart enough to understand we need to have a successful NZ. He should not try and send other messages for the sake of a few votes. Having a Government operating in a shared model would be a positive objective."

There were a few barbs for Cunliffe: One CEO suggested he should run NZ with less oratory, more fact and numbers-based. "I would expect him to have an understanding of business; our challenges and a basic balance sheet." Another said: "From far away."