A popular myth is that NASA spent millions of dollars producing a writing pen for the Apollo space programme. The space pen could write in zero gravity and would not leak combustible graphite into an oxygen rich space capsule. The Russians went in another direction and just used a pencil. The truth is that both used special space pencils but the myth still satisfies for its appeal to simplicity. Could there be a similar reductio ad simplicitas for all the current speculation of who will be bedding whom (politically speaking) once the MMP results are finally tabulated?

Why not sweep away NZ First and Green Party scenarios and in a Germanic MMP flourish simply put the two winners together. Jacinda Ardern presided over a remarkable turnaround in Labour’s fortunes and Bill English oversaw an equally stunning effort to maintain high support levels after three terms. Bill as PM and Jacinda as Deputy PM could lead a coalition government with a combined Cabinet.

The notion of a grand coalition is scarcely novel and is routinely dismissed. The two voting camps are too large and too opposed to ever contemplate such a union. Is that such an inviolate proposition? 

Consider the real choice here. For the next three years Labour or National can be in opposition and lob grenades at each other. Alternatively both can serve in the same Cabinet, concentrate on the not insignificant common ground and work, as any effective board would, on better decisions and better policies.

Let us allow our imaginations to run wild for a dizzying moment. Jacinda can push for a price on water. She and Bill can figure out how New Zealanders can price water such that the environment wins, tourism prospers and farmers can farm sustainably.

Phil Twyford, Amy Adams and Nick Smith can convene a taskforce to eliminate density controls and urban boundary limits and increase affordable housing.

Paula Bennet and Carmel Sepuloni can continue the social investment work going back to early intervention initiatives under Helen Clark.

Steven Joyce and Grant Roberston can energise officials to revolutionise local government/central government funding and design a tax regime which promotes productive investments and not tax shelters.

New Zealand likes strong and stable government. It also likes effective policies. Could it be that after three years of a grand coalition New Zealand might be a better place? Let us sharpen our pencils on that one.
 
Richard Baker is the new Director of Research at the New Zealand Initiative. He owns several pencils.