These traditionally favour left-leaning parties but some commentators doubt that will be to the same degree this time. It all adds up to an irritating situation for a National Party straining to get out of the blocks.
That will pass, though, whereas the black mood much of the country is in following the Rugby World Cup final is likely to persist for some time, after a game in which many people feel the better team lost through no fault of their own.
The debate over two key calls made by the anonymous foul play review officers is likely to last for decades and become embedded in rugby folklore. Their decision to upgrade a yellow card for All Black captain Sam Cane, who then became the first player to be sent off in a RWC final, was contentious enough but they then treated the Springbok captain Siya Kolisi differently for a very similar offence.
This debate has a long way to go, however, to match the longevity of the famous Bob Deans disallowed try of 1905 against Wales.
Generations of New Zealanders have gone to their graves adamant that the Welsh players pulled Deans back on to the field after he had grounded the ball over the try line, in what was the only loss for the All Black “Originals”.
Credit will go to Ian Foster, one of the most criticised All Black coaches ever, and Cane for the dignified way they accepted the situation.
And it all pales behind the significance of the ongoing tragedy in Gaza where thousands of innocents have been killed in a steadily worsening humanitarian disaster.
