Of the lessons that can be drawn from Mamdani’s campaign and now Mayoralty, one of them is talking about (and delivering) the efficient, high-quality public services that well-run, well-resourced government can provide.

We see time and time again that getting the “market” to deliver what the state should provide results in over-paying for substandard services. Or being unable to deliver anything at all — Auckland’s light rail and Kiwibuild being prime examples.

The state can, and should, have the capacity to plan, deliver, and maintain the high-quality infrastructure and services that modern life demands.

“Maintenance is always cheaper than repair, and one of the main differences between a business and a government is that a business's shareholders can starve maintenance budgets, cash out, and leave the collapsing firm behind them, while governments must think about the long term consequences of short-term thinking”

H/t to @pluralistic

#nzpol

https://pluralistic.net/2026/02/24/mamdani-thought/#public-excellence