David Seymour argues New Zealand has lost its pioneering spirit. He points to historical achievements like Edmund Hillary's Everest climb and the America's Cup win, then warns that over the past 15 to 20 years the country has become too quick to say no to big challenges.
What does it mean to you to be a New Zealander? We're a nation of pioneers. You know, every single Kiwi, whether you came here a few years ago or a few centuries ago, you or your ancestors have traveled further to give their kids a better tomorrow than anyone else in history. And you can test this. Just look on the map. So we are a pioneering society and we love that stuff about the Kiwi can do attitude. The number eight wire and Hillary Clay climbed Everest and Blake won the America's cup, and Kate Sheppard led the world for feminism. You know, I mean, we love all that stuff. My consist is that the way we've gone in the last 15, 20 years is that we've kind of become a country that says no too much. And I think what's essential if we're going to solve some of our bigger challenges is that we rekindle some of that original DNA that can do attitude. It's not there right now, but it hasn't gone away. We can replenish it.
