With bean counters, you can be the "bad guy" and just let it fall apart, and I admit that there are times when this is the only option for your own health.
I think you should avoid the "blank stare" and talk their language $'s (I'm US and am unsure what a pound symbol or euro's even look like, what do they use in New Zealand?). If you present how much the failures represent in money due to lost production, wages paid for standing around waiting, and management stress (even if they have met all deadlines so far). They will be far more open to listening.
