People of the Fern

[P.I. Stazzer-Newt]

What have you done to your Prime Minister?

[Mcjim]

It's been a hell of a five years, and she wants a life.
I'm not a huge fan but she has done very well, in some of the most "interesting" times.

It will be interesting to see who wants the job. There is a fair chance that Labour will be out of government after the October elections and will probably need to go through the normal post-loss rebuild.

Mike

[skuthorp]

One of the good ones, and likely another casualty of covid lockdowns. I wish her and her family a happy life….especially her 4 year old daughter.

[Hugh MacD]

She has definitely done her part. I wish her and her family well!

[RFNK]

NZ politics tend to swing between extremes, unfortunately. This means that the next government will probably be very conservative. Ardern's government's failing popularity is due largely to growing disparity between rich and poor, crazy housing expenses and consequent homelessness, high inflation, low wage growth and a thin social safety net. Previous conservative governments in NZ privatised everything and sold the massive lie that NZ needed to transfer towards a service-based economy. The same BS being promulgated all over the developed world. A service-based economy for NZ means a heavy reliance on tourism, foreign students etc. so CV19 has had a major impact and lack of a decent welfare net, also destroyed by conservatives and Labour wannabes, means that the consequences have hit hard.

Paradoxically, with the effects of CV19 likely to wane and tourism etc. likely to increase again, the NZ economy will probably improve despite the new conservative government so NZ might be stuck with them for a while, again.

It's a shame - it's been nice having a half decent government here for a change and having a government across the Tasman with some shared social and environmental goals. It would be great if the Kiwis could break the usual cycle but, with their really crappy mainstream media there, it's unlikely

[robm]

Ardern's government's failing popularity is due largely to growing disparity between rich and poor, crazy housing expenses and consequent homelessness, high inflation, low wage growth and a thin social safety net.

And how is a conservative government going to tackle this? Tax breaks for the rich, as usual?

The fact is, these things are happening all over the world. The flavour of the government makes no difference.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

I have at least one New Zealand friend who absolutely detests her. Since we are very old friends and intend to remain so for the few years left to us, I have never asked why.

[RFNK]

And how is a conservative government going to tackle this? Tax breaks for the rich, as usual?

The fact is, these things are happening all over the world. The flavour of the government makes no difference.

A conservative government won't address it. They'll probably make it worse. But NZ tourism will get back to normal, foreign student income will too, so the economy should improve on the next government's watch.