Hence, a few corks were no doubt popped here after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's announcement on Wednesday that the proposed capital gains tax now had as much prospect of moving forward as Monty Python's famed Norwegian blue parrot.
Understandably, the main focus has been on the impact of this grim-faced acceptance of political reality on the fortunes of Ms Ardern - and, to a lesser degree, on Finance Minister Grant Robertson.
However, the member of Labour's financial team whose fizz was flattened most may well be Associate Finance Minister and Dunedin North MP David Clark.
Dr Clark has called for a capital gains tax since the start of his political career.
Back in 2011, campaigning in his first election, he said "the capital gains tax Labour is proposing is all about fairness, and Kiwis like fairness.
"Not only does our policy have fairness on its side, but it also will mean most people are better off as a result."
This was not just pre-election rhetoric - Dr Clark advocated a capital gains tax in his maiden speech the following year, and his position seems not to have shifted appreciably since.
This has been painted as a victory for New Zealand First - certainly its local MP, Mark Patterson, will be pleased to see the proposed tax gone, having expressed concern over its possible impact on family farmers.
While navigating around New Zealand First would have been difficult, it would not have been impossible.
More likely, Ms Ardern has looked at the polls, observed public opinion, and stoically opted not to give National a weapon to target Labour with for the next 12 months.
Dr Clark may dream of fairness in the tax system, but this time prime ministerial pragmatism has won - you do not get to change things unless you win the election.
One step closer
A career change for National's 2017 Dunedin South candidate, Matthew Gregory, is nearer after Nuk Korako announced his retirement.
Auckland lawyer Paulo Garcia will become the country's first MP of Philippine descent when sworn in next month.
Following Mr Garcia on National's list is Northland electorate MP Matt King, so next cab off the rank is Christchurch tourism entrepreneur David Hiatt ... followed by Mr Gregory.
With a couple of National's senior MPs in their mid-60s, more retirements would come as no surprise.
Party hearty
It was a small but select gathering in Gore on Tuesday when Mark Patterson opened a new electorate office there.
Not uncoincidentally, Shane Jones was in town on Thursday for a provincial growth fund announcement.
Gore may seem an unlikely spot for New Zealand First to prosper, but it racked up 517 party votes there last election and increased its vote on 2014 at three polling places.
It no doubt thinks there are more gains to come.
