Garnering Wisdom
At a speaking event for North & South Investigates, journalist Duncan Garner delivered a “State of the nation” address that gave voice to the country’s gripes and groans.
With the energy of a double shot espresso. Garner delivered more than a few sardonic bangers. One example being, “The police are stretched thinner than Marmite on toast. Violent crime is up, but in further breaking news, ram raids are at the lowest level they’ve been in three years, which is now one every two days”.
However, though he painted a picture of a country going to the dogs in candid rapidfire delivery, one moment delving into the intricacies of economic disparity, laying bare the inadequacies of public services the next, his address went beyond trite soundbites. “I’m here to talk about the concerns of everyday New Zealanders” he said, coming after a presentation by economist Cameron Bagrie. “There might be overlaps with what you have just heard because what is happening in the economy is what New Zealanders remain concerned about.” He went on to add, “New Zealanders are losing sleep over the cost of living and inflation. The older generation is sitting pretty with their high interest rates, while younger people can barely keep their heads above water”.
It was a polite audience, a mix of small business owners and clients who listened attentively as Garner bumped between topics, drawing the crowd into a kind of whirlwind, deeply unsettling and, at times, strangely paralysing. Garner has a knack for breaking down complex issues into digestible insights.