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NZ election politics.
Topic Started: Oct 11 2017, 11:00 PM (470 Views)
Caro

We held our election some two weeks ago and were waiting for the special votes to come in. They have been counted now and Labour gained one seat and the Greens one seat so that gives National (Tory) 56 seats, Labour 46, Greens 8 and NZ First 9. We have an MMP system, so have two votes each, one for the party and one for the electorate. The Greens always go with Labour so that gives them a total of 54; the balance of power is now with NZ First led by the charismatic and mercurial Winston Peters (usually just known by his first name or Winnie), who favours less immigration, and privileges for Maori (despite him being Maori himself). Anyway we are waiting for his decision. He is 73 and has been in Parliament about 35 years so this is probably his last hurrah, and the pundits think he will want his legacy to be the continuation of his party, which most people just identify with him. Unlike the Greens, who are not usually just identified by one or two people.
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waiting4atickle
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Strangely, the NZ elections don't seem to have had much coverage here, Caro. <erm>

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waiting4atickle
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Some coverage of this on CNN today, saying that NZ now has its youngest ever female PM - a statement which speaks volumes. Apparently Winnie has thrown his lot in with the Labour party.

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Caro

Yes, Winston has decided to go with Labour, despite National getting more of the votes originally. Winston always plays his cards close to his chest, and there were no leaks beforehand. Not any clues at all. He has been promised four ministerial posts, with the Greens getting 3. Both then are also getting a Parliamentary under-secretary. I think NZ First are also in the cabinet, whereas the Greens are not.

The economists on Radio NZ seemed to feel that neo-liberalism has not delivered the promised economic benefits as well as they were expected to, though NZ weathered the 2008 crisis quite well, mostly because almost all its banks were Australian-owned and they hadn't given out loans willy-nilly. Apparently though we have had growth of about 3% a year, it hasn't shown up in the ordinary person's pay packet, with their growth being only about 0.5%.

So we will see what we get - probably a bit fewer immigrants, though that was slowing anyway. And a promise to the Greens to do something (hold a referendum?) on cannabis reform by 2020. I don't think Labour will have made any concessions to the Maori seats since they had all gone to Labour this year, and they will feel an obligation to their Maori voters. (Only people on the Maori role can vote for Maori seats, though anyone can vote for the Maori Party. (Which has not representation in Parliament now, having lost all its seats and not gaining the 5% threshold necessary under MMP.

I thought they said Jacinda Ardern was the youngest PM for 116 years, though my husband heard it as 60 years. I should check this.
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