At the time of writing New Zealand was facing a very uncertain future–locally, nationally, and internationally. The 2008 elections in New Zealand had not yet happened and concerns about a global economic crisis were only just emerging. Research-based insight into domestic or international outcomes of the remedial strategies will not be available for some time. It is becoming clear, however, that the capitalist model for ‘development’will not be ousted. This paper examines New Zealand’s engagement over the past 30 years in the hegemonic capitalist-state two-step, in which the recent elections represent a step to the right. It presents a position from which further, critically oriented research can be stimulated.