With the election behind us, it is hoped that the new government will take on board the messages sent to it by the electors of this country. New Zealand needs a government that cannot be swayed by self-centred interest groups but one that governs for the benefit of all of us.

We need genuine transparency in decision-making, not just the lip service we have seen in recent years. We need responsible ministers who will tell the public service that their role is to serve the public and not to use their position and authority to push personal agendas, while reminding them that the public pays their wages and that they have an unbridled duty to ensure any taxpayer money they spend is necessary. We also need ministers who will not hide behind the ‘it’s very complex’ banner but who will get on and do what they told us they would – which they have been elected to do. They must not let ideology and vanity get in the way of good governance.

The public service must be told in no uncertain terms that any consultation they enter into must be done in good faith and in a language that the majority can easily understand, with the results of the consultation guiding the final decision-making. Consultation must be more than just a tick-box in the process they follow and for which their mind is already made up. In far too many situations in recent years, we have seen policies enacted that are contrary to the majority view obtained through consultation.

In short, we need and deserve genuine government.

Looking at the results as they unfolded on election night, it was clear the electorate wanted change, and what was delivered is the catalyst for this change. We will not know for sure what the final colour scheme of the new government will be, duel or tri-coloured, perhaps until after the Port Waikato byelection in late November, but let’s hope the incoming government does not sit on its hands in the meantime.

The new government must live up to promises made during the campaign, as not to do so will most likely see it returned to the opposition benches in three years. The electorate is watching and is anxious, anxious to see an end to the uncertainty of recent times. What the electorate has given can just as easily be taken away.

There is no doubt that the next Parliament will be fiery on occasion, and it will require a strong Speaker to keep things under control while not flinching from punishing those who transgress the Parliamentary rules, no matter on what side of the house they are sitting.

The incoming government has pledged to reduce the number of public servants. I suspect that several of them are now worried about their future and $100,000-plus salaries. So they should be. One only must look at the growth of communication staff, employed contractors and consultants to see this. This is one area I will be watching with intense interest. Luxon and Co have told us they will reduce hospital waiting queues and people’s time in A&E and bring basics back into education. This will take time as it is such a mess, but let’s hope they don’t just order more reviews and then sit back and wait for the outcomes while telling us they are doing something.

We will all be looking for an unqualified acknowledgment that roads and the trucks that run on them are vital to the economic prosperity of this country. These must not just be words. They need to be supported by actions. So, get on and fix the bloody things!

As the year draws to a close, it is timely to reflect on that which was and look towards 2024, perhaps with some trepidation and fear of the unknown. This year has been challenging for many of us. There is no doubt about this, but with a bit of hope, 2024 will be better. Mind you, it could not get much worse.

To the regular readers of this column and the magazine, thank you. Thank you to all you drivers and industry supporters who have to contend with congestion, Third World road conditions and the ever-rising cost of doing business daily. Each of you deserves entry into the Transport Hall of Fame. If you can manage to take a break over Christmas and New Year, do so, but stay safe.

With a bit of hope, some time in 2024, the lyrics of the Fred Dagg song We Don’t Know How Lucky We Are will start to ring true.