In a democracy, the voters get to decide where the centre is. Currently, National loses most votes to NZ First (to the left) and Labour loses most to the Greens (likewise.)

The electorate's idea of the centre may be somewhat to the left of the National/Labour consensus.

And yes of course there are other factors than just the left/right thing.

"hot money is a dangerous thing for a small, open, export-reliant economy"

Quite. The price-insensitivity on display in the Auckland property market is not certain to be a sign of money-laundering and foreign loot-storage but ignorance is not bliss and makes space for all kinds of wild surmise. Ignorance is, however, government policy - with results that may even have been foreseen.

counterparties

The correct Wall Street term is muppets - still a term employed by our PM...

Why isn't it Friday today?

For a concise view from somewhere outside the madhouse, I suggest this:

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/09/new-zealand-crooks-buddies-whaleoil-bounced-chief-serious-fraud-office.html

The sheer number of champagne stories in the NZ Herald is a worry.