The US election guru James Carville is credited with putting Bill Clinton in the White House with the slogan “It’s the Economy, Stupid” on his election strategy white board every day of the US Presidential campaign in 1992. The New Zealand Election Study indicates the economy was also front of mind for voters in the 2023 General Election. (more…)
Max Hayton
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Former New Zealand political rivals alarmed at sudden foreign policy changes
The New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon unilaterally announced new directions for New Zealand’s foreign policy in an interview during a visit to the United States to attend a NATO meeting. (more…)
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Jacinda Ardern joins programme by major U.S. think tank the Center for American Progress
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s new international role is leader of a project created by the think tank the Center for American Progress, known as CAP. Reactions to this apparently counter intuitive move have been varied. (more…)
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Chinese Premier and New Zealand Prime Minister agree to differ during friendly visit
The Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited New Zealand last week (June 13-15) and held talks that were generally agreed to be frank but friendly. It was the highest ranking visit by a Chinese official for seven years and coincided with the tenth anniversary of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. (more…)
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New Zealand’s centre-right coalition gives with one hand, takes with the other
The latest Budget in New Zealand appeared to have been driven by the old idea that small government is the best government. Thousands of public service jobs have been slashed while the government reduced its own revenue by cutting taxes. (more…)
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NZ Foreign Minister’s anti-China defamation of Carr threatens trans-Tasman friendship
Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr sues New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters for defamation over AUKUS comments. The defamation action comes as a chagrined Peters took what looked like a step back from AUKUS in recent speeches. (more…)
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New Zealand’s new government distracted by minor coalition partner interests
The Labour Party in Opposition in New Zealand describes the new National Party government as the coalition of chaos. Others call it the three headed monster. It appears that at least one of the monster’s minor heads is doing more talking than its leader. (more…)
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New Zealand’s new coalition government turns back the clock
The new National Party led government for New Zealand will be New Zealand’s first cabinet coalition of three parties. Their joint agreement, hammered out during a month of difficult negotiations, will reverse a number of reforms introduced by the outgoing Labour Government and cut public service staff to approach 2017 levels. (more…)
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Final election count complicates New Zealand Coalition negotiations
The final count of all votes cast in the New Zealand general election has brought into play a third element in the new government’s coalition negotiations. (more…)
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A swing from Labour gives New Zealand a new National Party Government
Six years ago New Zealand’s Sixth Labour Government aimed to make New Zealand a better place in which to live. Its first term of three years was almost a dream run. It didn’t last. Disruption by outside influences including the COVID Pandemic and international inflation, and a disciplined election campaign by the political opposition combined to defeat the government. (more…)
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AUKUS a test of NZ’s independent foreign policy
The AUKUS nuclear submarine deal presents New Zealand with a difficult dilemma. On one hand old allies are forming a military alliance to confront an emergent China, ramping up their AUKUS relationship and their rhetoric magnifying China’s threat. On the other hand is New Zealand’s long standing carefully nurtured relationship with its major trading partner. (more…)
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New Zealand’s new Prime Minister is “Fixer” Chris Hipkins
It took less than 48 hours from Thursday until Saturday morning for New Zealanders to learn who their new Prime Minister would be. There was none of the dithering, back stabbing and delays evident in some other democracies when changing leaders. (more…)
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New Zealand’s Prime Minister Ardern resigns
Jacinda Ardern who has led New Zealand with intelligence, kindness and humanity is leaving the stage. Her last day as Prime Minister will be February 7. (more…)
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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is heading for a gloomy election year
While Ardern is a success overseas, events occurring both in the domestic market and overseas have been working against her government. The Covid Pandemic, the Ukraine war and the high cost of fuels, inflation, high interest rates and a likely year long recession combine to create concerns for New Zealand families and a night-mare scenario for Labour in the election due next year. (more…)
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Tackling Jacindamania: Kiwi opposition looks for a better way to fly
Who can break Ardern’s grip on the New Zealand leadership? The National Party hopes a conservative business heavyweight will break its run of failure.
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Why didn’t we check in with our Pacific neighbours about AUKUS?
Pacific nations haves a long-standing reason to be wary of all things nuclear. Yet here is our government high-handedly joining a deal to send nuclear-powered submarines patrolling the region.
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AUKUS: NZ happy to be left out of new alliance to protect its China trade
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she wasn’t approached about joining the new AUKUS agreement and nor would she expect to be. But to be left in the dark by ANZAC mates about AUKUS is a dose of cold reality for NZ.
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Conservative media undermine successful pandemic policy in NZ
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused great pain not only for those suffering and dying from the infection.
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Jacinda Arden wins in an unprecedented landslide
It is sometimes said that New Zealand is a young country that boxes above its weight. The same might be said for its Prime Minister Jacinda Arden. In the triennial election bout she defeated the woman who seems pleased to be nicknamed “Crusher” Collins (because as a minister she ordered hoons’ cars to be crushed). (more…)
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New Zealand National Party leader Judith Collins manages to smudge PM Ardern’s gloss.
With less than a month to go before the General Election on October 19 the latest polls in New Zealand show the Labour Government well ahead despite many commentators saying Prime Minister Ardern’s performance in the first TV election debate lacked lustre.
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NZ National Party promises tax cuts while the Labor Government invests in people and infrastructure
The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Government have consistently polled ahead of National and its leader Judith Collins. National’s promise of tax cuts could affect the numbers. (more…)
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Ardern offers a steady hand and consistency to deal with the Covid crisis and build a better future.
The New Zealand Prime Minister launched the Labour Party election campaign on Saturday August 8 with one piece of new policy in a pitch that focused on maintaining the Covid control and economic recovery plan to support people and businesses and build a better society. (more…)
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New Zealand’s Opposition Leader Judith “Crusher” Collins says she will crush the government of Jacinda Ardern
Even her supporters use the nick-name “Crusher”. The Opposition National Party’s fourth leader since Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister in late 2017 aims to live up to her moniker. (more…)
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Row erupts over the New Zealand Government’s Covid crisis mistake.
The internationally acclaimed excellent performance by the New Zealand Government against the Carona virus has been marred by a mistake. It may damage the Government’s credibility as an election approaches. (more…)
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand’s budget presses the reset button
Before the Covid-19 pandemic New Zealand’s unemployment and net Crown debt were low. That has all changed, but in the midst of the crisis the Labour Government sees opportunities. (more…)
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MAX HAYTON. Ardern provides crisis management masterclass.
New Zealand is giving us a crisis management masterclass. Prime Minister Ardern has demonstrated skilful and empathetic management of the Covid-19 crisis. (more…)
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand’s Government faces an uphill election battle.
A recent poll suggests that New Zealand’s Labour Party had insufficient support to form a government if an election had been held when the poll was taken. (more…)
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand campaign for September Election Day intensifies.
New Zealand’s Labour Government announced an election will be held on September 19 and almost immediately revealed its plans for massive investment in infrastructure. (more…)
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand’s Wellbeing Budget.
The New Zealand Labour Government’s first Wellbeing Budget is intentionally unconventional. It is the start of a process which the government of Jacinda Ardern hopes will continue to reposition New Zealand’s economy and society after decades of centre-right economics. (more…)
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MAX HAYTON. Jacinda Ardern leads a nation in grief.
Under a remarkable young woman New Zealand is discovering deep resources of kindness and compassion. In the aftermath of the Christchurch massacre people touched by the tragedy built mountains of flowers and in their thousands attended rallies in support of the Muslims living in their communities. (more…)