Jacinda Ardern resigns as New Zealand prime minister
January 18, 2023 8:32 PM Subscribe
One of the world's best leaders, Jacinda Ardern, who helped set the bar for other world leaders, is resigning as New Zealand prime minister. "I no longer have enough in the tank": Jacinda Ardern resigns as New Zealand prime minister
It's always the good ones, isn't it? They die too soon, lose stupid elections, or just run out of energy from earnestly working as hard as they do.
It's never the slimebags who throw in the towel.
posted by Ickster at 9:04 PM on January 18, 2023 [72 favorites]
It's never the slimebags who throw in the towel.
posted by Ickster at 9:04 PM on January 18, 2023 [72 favorites]
Not if we can help it - don't forget you can vote too (if you've visited home in the past 3 years)
posted by mbo at 9:09 PM on January 18, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by mbo at 9:09 PM on January 18, 2023 [7 favorites]
Don't forget what happens if you don't enrol to vote
(for the non-kiwis here in NZ voter registration is legally required, and very easy - actual voting is also very easy, but unlike Australia it's optional)
posted by mbo at 9:13 PM on January 18, 2023 [6 favorites]
(for the non-kiwis here in NZ voter registration is legally required, and very easy - actual voting is also very easy, but unlike Australia it's optional)
posted by mbo at 9:13 PM on January 18, 2023 [6 favorites]
I got a tear in my eye when I read the news.
I think it is strategic. She bows out now totally under her own volition at a point where her popularity is the best it can be over the next 8 months to the election. She enjoys her daughter's first days and years at school. She marries Clarke, sits on few boards, makes some big bucks along the way. Then in 15 years when her yet-to-be-conceived second child is finished school and Jacinda is in her powerhouse late 50s, she comes back on the scene and enjoys a second reign as PM that lasts twice as long as the first. /fanfic
posted by Thella at 9:14 PM on January 18, 2023 [123 favorites]
I think it is strategic. She bows out now totally under her own volition at a point where her popularity is the best it can be over the next 8 months to the election. She enjoys her daughter's first days and years at school. She marries Clarke, sits on few boards, makes some big bucks along the way. Then in 15 years when her yet-to-be-conceived second child is finished school and Jacinda is in her powerhouse late 50s, she comes back on the scene and enjoys a second reign as PM that lasts twice as long as the first. /fanfic
posted by Thella at 9:14 PM on January 18, 2023 [123 favorites]
Morgan Godfery in the Guardian. I think his conclusion of "most important postwar PM" is pushing it, but his summary of her tenure is good.
I think we should also consider the vitrolic, misogynist, and violent element that has arisen locally, inspired by and in dialogue with its peers abroad, which is particularly fixated on Ardern. See this report from the Disinformation Project.
My personal hot take: I think Ardern was outstanding in a crisis, while temperamentally too conservative for the demands of climate change and our political economy. But after those crises, and with an element of personal and violent abuse that is unprecedented in our politics, I don't blame her for packing it in. I would want to go home and spend time with my kid too.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 9:25 PM on January 18, 2023 [19 favorites]
I think we should also consider the vitrolic, misogynist, and violent element that has arisen locally, inspired by and in dialogue with its peers abroad, which is particularly fixated on Ardern. See this report from the Disinformation Project.
My personal hot take: I think Ardern was outstanding in a crisis, while temperamentally too conservative for the demands of climate change and our political economy. But after those crises, and with an element of personal and violent abuse that is unprecedented in our politics, I don't blame her for packing it in. I would want to go home and spend time with my kid too.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 9:25 PM on January 18, 2023 [19 favorites]
A wonderful anecdote from NZ reporter Charlie Mitchell.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 9:31 PM on January 18, 2023 [21 favorites]
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 9:31 PM on January 18, 2023 [21 favorites]
don't forget you can vote too (if you've visited home in the past 3 years)
Literally the last time I used a FAX machine was to vote remotely in a NZ election from the US….
posted by inflatablekiwi at 9:34 PM on January 18, 2023 [4 favorites]
Literally the last time I used a FAX machine was to vote remotely in a NZ election from the US….
posted by inflatablekiwi at 9:34 PM on January 18, 2023 [4 favorites]
I lived in the US for 20 years, from '84 - didn't vote after voting Muldoon out that year, someone at the consulate had told me that you couldn't if you'd been gone 3+ years (they didn't mention that the trips we made back every couple of years reset that timer) - of course I didn't get to vote in the US, not even for dog catcher
(again for the non-kiwis if you're a non citizen living legally in NZ for more than a year you get to vote here - no taxation without representation and all that)
posted by mbo at 9:41 PM on January 18, 2023 [10 favorites]
(again for the non-kiwis if you're a non citizen living legally in NZ for more than a year you get to vote here - no taxation without representation and all that)
posted by mbo at 9:41 PM on January 18, 2023 [10 favorites]
again for the non-kiwis if you're a non citizen living legally in NZ for more than a year you get to vote here - no taxation without representation and all that
Yes, as an Australian I think New Zealanders living and working in Australia for more than a year should be allowed to vote in Australia.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 9:50 PM on January 18, 2023 [4 favorites]
Yes, as an Australian I think New Zealanders living and working in Australia for more than a year should be allowed to vote in Australia.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 9:50 PM on January 18, 2023 [4 favorites]
I think it's important context that support for her and her party seems to have sharply waned, and that recent polls and by-election results suggest that the opposition right-wing bloc would be likely winners of the next general election.
posted by kickingtheground at 9:57 PM on January 18, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by kickingtheground at 9:57 PM on January 18, 2023 [5 favorites]
Only silver lining if the Nats get in - I’ll likely be able to say I’ve gotten drunk with three or more ministers of the crown (inside and outside cabinet). Downside to that - I’ve seen them drunk In their 20’s, and I doubt they have gotten more tolerable over time.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:09 PM on January 18, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:09 PM on January 18, 2023 [5 favorites]
New Zealand has really grown into the role of the 21st century's World's America's Canada.
posted by NoThisIsPatrick at 10:25 PM on January 18, 2023 [18 favorites]
posted by NoThisIsPatrick at 10:25 PM on January 18, 2023 [18 favorites]
inflatablekiwi Agree. Chris Luxton is a Christian Dominionist (living nightmare if they get power - look at UK where they have) and David Seymour is a pound-shop Farage.
Labour support has not waned that much, just the press here hates a strong competant woman, and most econ & social metrics are good - not that the press ever report the truth, strange days. Also country is flooded with Bannon accolytes (almost every deep stirrer is from US) and dark money.
An odd thing is signs on some farms A, you see anti Jacinda, anti clean water (we have a new water law), anti vax etc. On other farms B one sees pro Ukraine flags, silos painted yellow and blue etc. But you never see A & B signs on same farm.
posted by unearthed at 11:01 PM on January 18, 2023 [9 favorites]
Labour support has not waned that much, just the press here hates a strong competant woman, and most econ & social metrics are good - not that the press ever report the truth, strange days. Also country is flooded with Bannon accolytes (almost every deep stirrer is from US) and dark money.
An odd thing is signs on some farms A, you see anti Jacinda, anti clean water (we have a new water law), anti vax etc. On other farms B one sees pro Ukraine flags, silos painted yellow and blue etc. But you never see A & B signs on same farm.
posted by unearthed at 11:01 PM on January 18, 2023 [9 favorites]
I'm surprised and disappointed, but I can't say I blame her.
She's done a damn good job through six really hard years.
posted by happyinmotion at 11:27 PM on January 18, 2023 [9 favorites]
She's done a damn good job through six really hard years.
posted by happyinmotion at 11:27 PM on January 18, 2023 [9 favorites]
Jacinda Ardern: An inspirational role model and victim of ingrained misogyny.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 11:57 PM on January 18, 2023 [11 favorites]
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 11:57 PM on January 18, 2023 [11 favorites]
Ardern is the first politician ever that I could relate to as a heavily liberal millennial parent. She's one of a kind not because we don't have more awesome PM's (we should!) but she's the first impactful world leader from my generation. For that I'll forever be her fan.
posted by the cydonian at 12:05 AM on January 19, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by the cydonian at 12:05 AM on January 19, 2023 [12 favorites]
Kind of gutted for our loss, the PM has and does, a great job - picking up the pieces of 40 years of neo-liberalism, initiated by Labour in 84, and carried on by both left & right in various forms since was always going to be a tough ask. But on top of the various crises & press/media hostility, it'd be really draining.
Most progressives seem to favour the Greens these days, Labour are Centre-left (reform of neoliberalisms ills is being done in a slow, methodical, 'fiscally responsible' way) and National are Centre-right (just keep shrinking public-services, supporting business, farmers, corporates). Labour tend to cop it from both sides - reform is too slow, and from the conservatives, its all-too woke (but they have no policies or ideas other than more of the same neoliberal crap).
There has been a few misteps from the PM, luke-warm position on cannabis reform, failure to do something about a Capital Gains Tax are probably the two key ones. Maybe she can champion those in the future (incl lowering voting age).
Hopefully the PM has a pleasant retirement and moves onto brighter & better things (like Helen Clarke at the UN) or just enjoys the quiet life.
posted by phigmov at 12:15 AM on January 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
Most progressives seem to favour the Greens these days, Labour are Centre-left (reform of neoliberalisms ills is being done in a slow, methodical, 'fiscally responsible' way) and National are Centre-right (just keep shrinking public-services, supporting business, farmers, corporates). Labour tend to cop it from both sides - reform is too slow, and from the conservatives, its all-too woke (but they have no policies or ideas other than more of the same neoliberal crap).
There has been a few misteps from the PM, luke-warm position on cannabis reform, failure to do something about a Capital Gains Tax are probably the two key ones. Maybe she can champion those in the future (incl lowering voting age).
Hopefully the PM has a pleasant retirement and moves onto brighter & better things (like Helen Clarke at the UN) or just enjoys the quiet life.
posted by phigmov at 12:15 AM on January 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
Coverage from this island nation at the other end of the world featured a pic of the Nov 22 meeting between Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern and Sanna Marin. Had to squash like a bug the predictable lazy-arse sexist press Q.
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:32 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by BobTheScientist at 1:32 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
It took three weeks (nyt) from gun massacre to gun ban.
On this the country was unified. Ardern spoke for the people, these guns have to go. I remember how affected she was, her honest sorrow.
One thing I was grateful for at the time was when she refused to ever say the killer's name. The media followed her leadership on this, and to this day, right now, I can't tell you their name. I don't know it.
posted by adept256 at 2:55 AM on January 19, 2023 [50 favorites]
On this the country was unified. Ardern spoke for the people, these guns have to go. I remember how affected she was, her honest sorrow.
One thing I was grateful for at the time was when she refused to ever say the killer's name. The media followed her leadership on this, and to this day, right now, I can't tell you their name. I don't know it.
posted by adept256 at 2:55 AM on January 19, 2023 [50 favorites]
On a human and personal level, I completely support her decision and wish her the best of luck.
On a political level? I don't know if this was a good move for her party in advance of a what seems like a tough election, having seen similar things happen here in Canada. I was reading this opinion piece in the Guardian which offers a bit more measured take while remaining personally supportive of Ardern's decision:
Jacinda Ardern’s shock exit imperils her legacy and her party
[Ardern] leaves the party in far worse shape to fight this election than it would have been under her leadership. Worse, her decision appears to have genuinely surprised the party, meaning succession-planning has not been thought through. Her deputy, Grant Robertson, the only figure in the party with anything approaching her stature with the public, has already ruled himself out, all those rumours about the pair having made Gordon Brown-Tony Blair style deal now scotched.
If Ardern had lost and decided to leave after the election, the party could have had the time and space of opposition to pick someone fresh and interesting from recent intakes. But they now need a new prime minister, someone who can wrangle with the teeming mass of bureaucracy and lead the country on day one.
Again, not a Kiwi and I am supportive on a personal level - but based on my own experience this may turn an election defeat into a rout.
posted by fortitude25 at 3:59 AM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
On a political level? I don't know if this was a good move for her party in advance of a what seems like a tough election, having seen similar things happen here in Canada. I was reading this opinion piece in the Guardian which offers a bit more measured take while remaining personally supportive of Ardern's decision:
Jacinda Ardern’s shock exit imperils her legacy and her party
[Ardern] leaves the party in far worse shape to fight this election than it would have been under her leadership. Worse, her decision appears to have genuinely surprised the party, meaning succession-planning has not been thought through. Her deputy, Grant Robertson, the only figure in the party with anything approaching her stature with the public, has already ruled himself out, all those rumours about the pair having made Gordon Brown-Tony Blair style deal now scotched.
If Ardern had lost and decided to leave after the election, the party could have had the time and space of opposition to pick someone fresh and interesting from recent intakes. But they now need a new prime minister, someone who can wrangle with the teeming mass of bureaucracy and lead the country on day one.
Again, not a Kiwi and I am supportive on a personal level - but based on my own experience this may turn an election defeat into a rout.
posted by fortitude25 at 3:59 AM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Jacinda Ardern’s shock exit imperils her legacy and her party
... this may turn an election defeat into a rout.
I don't know anything about Henry Cooke, and only a little more about Jacinda Ardern, but if people are already blaming her for the rout, I strongly suspect that pretty much the same people would have blamed her for the defeat, or for the narrow win and throwing her party into chaos by resigning after the election, or for working herself literally to death in the aftermath, or or or...
posted by Etrigan at 5:20 AM on January 19, 2023 [29 favorites]
... this may turn an election defeat into a rout.
I don't know anything about Henry Cooke, and only a little more about Jacinda Ardern, but if people are already blaming her for the rout, I strongly suspect that pretty much the same people would have blamed her for the defeat, or for the narrow win and throwing her party into chaos by resigning after the election, or for working herself literally to death in the aftermath, or or or...
posted by Etrigan at 5:20 AM on January 19, 2023 [29 favorites]
I think his conclusion of "most important postwar PM" is pushing it, but his summary of her tenure is good.
No western leader did a better job saving lives during the last 3 years than Jacinda Arden. She saved thousands upon thousands of lives. New Zealand's covid-19 death rate was 1/7th the United States.
Spectacular leadership going entirely against the stream of almost everyone else.
Off the charts excellence.
That's her legacy. Whatever comes next is up to other people and she owes nothing. She already gave one of the all time greatest modern leadership runs.
posted by srboisvert at 5:57 AM on January 19, 2023 [41 favorites]
No western leader did a better job saving lives during the last 3 years than Jacinda Arden. She saved thousands upon thousands of lives. New Zealand's covid-19 death rate was 1/7th the United States.
Spectacular leadership going entirely against the stream of almost everyone else.
Off the charts excellence.
That's her legacy. Whatever comes next is up to other people and she owes nothing. She already gave one of the all time greatest modern leadership runs.
posted by srboisvert at 5:57 AM on January 19, 2023 [41 favorites]
I'm seconding srboisvert here. Living in Ontario, Canada, our premier during covid (and now) is willfully ignorant, venal, lazy, and bigoted (but he makes the real estate developers money!) The difference in our respective covid death rates means that about 10,000 dead ontarians can be placed on his doorstep. She one who showed that a different way is possible, and can succeed.
posted by LegallyBread at 6:02 AM on January 19, 2023 [10 favorites]
posted by LegallyBread at 6:02 AM on January 19, 2023 [10 favorites]
No western leader did a better job saving lives during the last 3 years than Jacinda Arden.
reading a book on suffrage with my kid, worth reflecting on new zealand ushering it into the world.
posted by kliuless at 6:41 AM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
reading a book on suffrage with my kid, worth reflecting on new zealand ushering it into the world.
posted by kliuless at 6:41 AM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Living in Ontario, Canada, our premier during covid (and now) is willfully ignorant, venal, lazy, and bigoted (but he makes the real estate developers money!)
I wish more politicos would simply step aside. Say what you will about Dalton McGuinty, but he saw the writing on the wall and stepped down. If Wynne had done the same, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess today.
posted by sid at 6:46 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
I wish more politicos would simply step aside. Say what you will about Dalton McGuinty, but he saw the writing on the wall and stepped down. If Wynne had done the same, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess today.
posted by sid at 6:46 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
Oh, this is a pity. I used to go to classes with a man who was a partner of the New Zealand delegate to an international organization based in NYC. They lived in a lovely New Zealand owned apartment and took care of Jacinda's newborn baby when she was in NYC. She is a great mom and seems like a genuinely nice person, rare for a politician. I imagine she wanted to spend time with her family and possibly have more children. As a mom of a 4 year old struggling with the decision to work or stay at home, I totally understand.
posted by ichimunki at 7:06 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by ichimunki at 7:06 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
I've never been to NZ but did live in Vanuatu for almost 5 months and met many Kiwis there. Every one of them hated her, which I found baffling. "She wasn't even properly elected," was something I heard over and over again.
Most of these people were wealthy or ulta-rich and chalked it up to that — I had the same experience with the ultra-wealthy I knew being pro Trump.
Is Arden leftest when it comes to finance?
posted by dobbs at 7:12 AM on January 19, 2023
Most of these people were wealthy or ulta-rich and chalked it up to that — I had the same experience with the ultra-wealthy I knew being pro Trump.
Is Arden leftest when it comes to finance?
posted by dobbs at 7:12 AM on January 19, 2023
Seeing the topic of OP I googled her, having not payed a lot of attention to what she's been doing the last 5 years. And holy shit I'd swear she's aged 10 years since then.
One thing to remember is that even in a relatively small country like NZ, talent is not in short supply. If, as some are pointing out, she is leaving at the height of her game and able to influence who succeeds her, this could be a good thing.
posted by Aardvark Cheeselog at 7:12 AM on January 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
One thing to remember is that even in a relatively small country like NZ, talent is not in short supply. If, as some are pointing out, she is leaving at the height of her game and able to influence who succeeds her, this could be a good thing.
posted by Aardvark Cheeselog at 7:12 AM on January 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Is Arden leftest when it comes to finance?
I think this depends on your own position on the political spectrum. She and her party are centre-left by NZ standards. Internationally, NZ Labour are part of the Progressive Alliance, which might provide a useful point of comparison.
posted by plonkee at 7:22 AM on January 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
I think this depends on your own position on the political spectrum. She and her party are centre-left by NZ standards. Internationally, NZ Labour are part of the Progressive Alliance, which might provide a useful point of comparison.
posted by plonkee at 7:22 AM on January 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Jacinda Ardern on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, parts one and two.
On one appearance she invited him to visit New Zealand so he went and she picked him up from the airport. Very charming.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:03 AM on January 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
On one appearance she invited him to visit New Zealand so he went and she picked him up from the airport. Very charming.
posted by kirkaracha at 8:03 AM on January 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
I wish more politicos would simply step aside. Say what you will about Dalton McGuinty, but he saw the writing on the wall and stepped down. If Wynne had done the same, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess today.
Weird how when a man is crap it is somehow a woman's fault.
posted by srboisvert at 8:09 AM on January 19, 2023 [8 favorites]
Weird how when a man is crap it is somehow a woman's fault.
posted by srboisvert at 8:09 AM on January 19, 2023 [8 favorites]
One of the world's best leaders
Although I don't necessarily disagree, and many people outside of New Zealand feel the same, her popularity within the country is apparently starting to decline. Now, popular support doesn't necessarily reflect the quality of a politician, but it's an interesting juxtaposition.
It reminds me a bit of Justin Trudeau's weird, early popularity internationally, where he was seen as both a sex symbol (why?) and a far more progressive figure than he actually is. Within the country, he was popular, but never to the degree you'd think from reading fawning articles in the international press.
I know these are two completely different situations, but as a Canadian who isn't super familiar with the domestic politics of New Zealand, the comparison popped into my head.
posted by asnider at 8:16 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
Although I don't necessarily disagree, and many people outside of New Zealand feel the same, her popularity within the country is apparently starting to decline. Now, popular support doesn't necessarily reflect the quality of a politician, but it's an interesting juxtaposition.
It reminds me a bit of Justin Trudeau's weird, early popularity internationally, where he was seen as both a sex symbol (why?) and a far more progressive figure than he actually is. Within the country, he was popular, but never to the degree you'd think from reading fawning articles in the international press.
I know these are two completely different situations, but as a Canadian who isn't super familiar with the domestic politics of New Zealand, the comparison popped into my head.
posted by asnider at 8:16 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
Courageous anti-poverty campaigner Jack Monroe highlighting the level of abuse men have directed at Ardern, which ppl in the UK might not have been aware of, the relative silence about it in our media, and the effects such abuse has had on them.
posted by runincircles at 8:19 AM on January 19, 2023 [12 favorites]
posted by runincircles at 8:19 AM on January 19, 2023 [12 favorites]
(Please, let’s not discuss this woman’s physical appearance here today. It only takes unflattering or low-CRI lighting, or an in/on-camera filter, or some very light photoshop, to make someone look worse, in order to promote and feed into the pre-existing gender bias of discussing’s womens’ appearance.)
posted by Callisto Prime at 8:19 AM on January 19, 2023 [14 favorites]
posted by Callisto Prime at 8:19 AM on January 19, 2023 [14 favorites]
It reminds me a bit of John Horgan in British Columbia. He had had cancer and resigned saying his energy was flagging and he wanted to spend time with his family. He resigned as a very popular leader and so cemented his legacy. He also gave substantial lead time to allow for a leadership race in the middle of an election cycle, largely without damaging intra-party fighting. It was best for him and the party.
posted by lookoutbelow at 8:32 AM on January 19, 2023
posted by lookoutbelow at 8:32 AM on January 19, 2023
It reminds me a bit of John Horgan in British Columbia. He had had cancer and resigned saying his energy was flagging and he wanted to spend time with his family. He resigned as a very popular leader and so cemented his legacy. He also gave substantial lead time to allow for a leadership race in the middle of an election cycle, largely without damaging intra-party fighting. It was best for him and the party.
It's not clear that this is the best decision for NZ Labour, much as it may well be the best decision for Ardern herself. They have a difficult election coming up, and no obvious successor.
posted by plonkee at 9:02 AM on January 19, 2023
It's not clear that this is the best decision for NZ Labour, much as it may well be the best decision for Ardern herself. They have a difficult election coming up, and no obvious successor.
posted by plonkee at 9:02 AM on January 19, 2023
Anyone who's a high-profile elected representative in an Anglophone country is going to have an insane amount of abuse spewed at them, it's part of the job. Which is probably why most of them who aren't firmly entrenched in political dynasties go on to do corporate sinecures or some sort of media job--although maybe that doesn't pay so well in New Zealand?
posted by kingdead at 9:13 AM on January 19, 2023
posted by kingdead at 9:13 AM on January 19, 2023
I am genuinely sad about this, I found her so inspirational.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:28 AM on January 19, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:28 AM on January 19, 2023 [7 favorites]
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:52 AM on January 19, 2023 [10 favorites]
There is a very strong base-layer of fiscal conservatism in NZ - they'll always reliably support National (or worse, ACT) - around 28-30% of the voting public regardless of how dire they are as a political party in opposition or as a party in power and governing. The progressive left has become more and more disenchanted with Labour so now the vote tends to get split between Labour, Greens and the Māori party (which has under a Mixed Member Proportional Representation system allied with the Nats before and suffered for it).
The battle for the fickle middle can be pretty tough. I've noticed people that grew up in the late 80's and 90's are often inculcated with the neoliberal disease - law/order, user-pays, 'work-ethic', boot-straps, private health-insurance, many cars, much consumerism, lots of travel, un-healthy nationalism (blind sporting support), low key discrimination against immigrants and Māori, anti Treaty settlement, water-reform, property-as-investment (driving up house-prices to the point no one can afford to buy them as Boomers & Gen-X have bought them all when they were cheap and there are capital gains to be made) etc etc
So the PM has had to work hard to get the Labour/Greens to work together on softening a lot of this in-grained mentality. There were a lot of problems in NZ in the 50's to 70's but health, welfare, housing, education, cost-of-living were not among them - now they're all in a critical state post 80's 'financial reform' and privitisation.
It would have been a really tough challenge at the best of times, with the Pandemic, reform has been veeeery slow but at least its being attempted (but often perceived as too little too late by lefties).
If the conservatives win next election, the on-going shitification of all the things will just make the nation a meaner, more polluted & harder to live-in place.
posted by phigmov at 10:18 AM on January 19, 2023 [10 favorites]
The battle for the fickle middle can be pretty tough. I've noticed people that grew up in the late 80's and 90's are often inculcated with the neoliberal disease - law/order, user-pays, 'work-ethic', boot-straps, private health-insurance, many cars, much consumerism, lots of travel, un-healthy nationalism (blind sporting support), low key discrimination against immigrants and Māori, anti Treaty settlement, water-reform, property-as-investment (driving up house-prices to the point no one can afford to buy them as Boomers & Gen-X have bought them all when they were cheap and there are capital gains to be made) etc etc
So the PM has had to work hard to get the Labour/Greens to work together on softening a lot of this in-grained mentality. There were a lot of problems in NZ in the 50's to 70's but health, welfare, housing, education, cost-of-living were not among them - now they're all in a critical state post 80's 'financial reform' and privitisation.
It would have been a really tough challenge at the best of times, with the Pandemic, reform has been veeeery slow but at least its being attempted (but often perceived as too little too late by lefties).
If the conservatives win next election, the on-going shitification of all the things will just make the nation a meaner, more polluted & harder to live-in place.
posted by phigmov at 10:18 AM on January 19, 2023 [10 favorites]
in case we take it for granted: putting smart people in charge of things makes a difference
posted by graywyvern at 10:34 AM on January 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by graywyvern at 10:34 AM on January 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
I've never been to NZ but did live in Vanuatu for almost 5 months and met many Kiwis there. Every one of them hated her, which I found baffling.
Yeah, my only NZ friend (who interestingly, is also a pioneering, powerful woman in her sector) also hates her.
Described her as being a control freak over Covid, turning down offers of practical support from the private sector because it didn't suit her agenda and she only wanted people who were already in her 'tent' involved in the Covid effort. I have absolutely no useful knowledge to put that in context but always find it curious because it's so at odds with the awe in which the rest of the world seems to hold her. Friend is pretty socially liberal, but is also very much private sector which I guess probably explains it.
posted by penguin pie at 10:55 AM on January 19, 2023
Yeah, my only NZ friend (who interestingly, is also a pioneering, powerful woman in her sector) also hates her.
Described her as being a control freak over Covid, turning down offers of practical support from the private sector because it didn't suit her agenda and she only wanted people who were already in her 'tent' involved in the Covid effort. I have absolutely no useful knowledge to put that in context but always find it curious because it's so at odds with the awe in which the rest of the world seems to hold her. Friend is pretty socially liberal, but is also very much private sector which I guess probably explains it.
posted by penguin pie at 10:55 AM on January 19, 2023
The offers from the private sector came from "entrepreneurs" who wanted to build tech solutions around Bluetooth that might have worked or might not but came at a hefty pricetag and were proposed as alternatives to quarantine, border controls and lockdown. The business and media sectors HATED border closures and quarantine -- how dare anyone interfere with their right to come and go -- and they hated lockdown. Private sector folk also seemed unable to deal with the idea that regulations around medical treatments (like vaccine safety approval) are there for a reason, that scientific knowledge about COVID is evolving and contingent, and generally all the things one expects from practical people of business who think they are the right ones to be in charge.
Beyond that, Ardern as a younger woman and a mother absolutely did a number on some people's heads. They would have accepted strong and decisive take-no-shit leadership from an older dude, but breaking their mental template of what people in charge looked like was too much for them. Some of NZ's conservative element has gone batshit, partly from the spillover effect of mis/dis info from the rest of the Anglosphere but with a special bit on top called misogyny.
Recall that only two years ago, the Labour part under her leadership got 52% in the election. That is unheard of support for any party in the last 30 years. People did not, by and large, hate her. Many more loved her (though of course the haters were there). But the grind of lockdown, undermining from the business sector who wanted to operate and fuck public health, and festering social media have all combined.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 11:51 AM on January 19, 2023 [20 favorites]
Beyond that, Ardern as a younger woman and a mother absolutely did a number on some people's heads. They would have accepted strong and decisive take-no-shit leadership from an older dude, but breaking their mental template of what people in charge looked like was too much for them. Some of NZ's conservative element has gone batshit, partly from the spillover effect of mis/dis info from the rest of the Anglosphere but with a special bit on top called misogyny.
Recall that only two years ago, the Labour part under her leadership got 52% in the election. That is unheard of support for any party in the last 30 years. People did not, by and large, hate her. Many more loved her (though of course the haters were there). But the grind of lockdown, undermining from the business sector who wanted to operate and fuck public health, and festering social media have all combined.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 11:51 AM on January 19, 2023 [20 favorites]
The hatred and vitriol Jacinda Ardern endured 'would affect anybody'
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 11:55 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 11:55 AM on January 19, 2023 [3 favorites]
In 2019 my partner and I visited NZ for a few weeks. While we were visiting Hobbiton we down at a picnic table to have our Hobbit lunch and had a great conversation with a local couple. I don't remember who brought it up first, but they mentioned Justin Trudeau and how wonderful he seemed and wasn't it wonderful that he was our Prime Minister and we sort of just made faces and said that he was *fine* but not progressive enough for us. Then we mentioned Jacinda Ardern and how wonderful she was and how she seemed like a great Prime Minister and they made very similar faces and basically said the same thing.
It was interesting - grass is greener, etc, I suspect.
posted by lumberbaron at 12:24 PM on January 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
It was interesting - grass is greener, etc, I suspect.
posted by lumberbaron at 12:24 PM on January 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
Anyone who's a high-profile elected representative in an Anglophone country is going to have an insane amount of abuse spewed at them, it's part of the job.
Are you saying that the amount of abuse Ardern received was probably in line with what any man would have received in the same job? Because it's not true, in New Zealand or anywhere else, especially regarding COVID-19.
posted by happyfrog at 12:29 PM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Are you saying that the amount of abuse Ardern received was probably in line with what any man would have received in the same job? Because it's not true, in New Zealand or anywhere else, especially regarding COVID-19.
posted by happyfrog at 12:29 PM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
"She wasn't even properly elected," was something I heard over and over again.
This just seems weird. She was elected leader of the opposition by the party about a month before the general elections after her predecessor resigned, and turned the party's lacklustre performance around from a possible fourth place to a coalition win, gaining 14 seats. In her second election she got an outright majority, which hadn't happened before in NZ's MMP history. Say what you like about whether she wielded her mandate effectively, but she didn't just get properly elected, she won the hell out of them.
posted by Sparx at 12:39 PM on January 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
This just seems weird. She was elected leader of the opposition by the party about a month before the general elections after her predecessor resigned, and turned the party's lacklustre performance around from a possible fourth place to a coalition win, gaining 14 seats. In her second election she got an outright majority, which hadn't happened before in NZ's MMP history. Say what you like about whether she wielded her mandate effectively, but she didn't just get properly elected, she won the hell out of them.
posted by Sparx at 12:39 PM on January 19, 2023 [5 favorites]
Yeah, I have a reasonably long memory of NZ politics and the last couple of years is new.
As recently as 4 years ago I could bump into the finance minister buying sausages at the supermarket, or see the PM on the street seemingly without security. Now I am told the DPS has had to have a presence at her kids preschool. This is Different.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:39 PM on January 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
As recently as 4 years ago I could bump into the finance minister buying sausages at the supermarket, or see the PM on the street seemingly without security. Now I am told the DPS has had to have a presence at her kids preschool. This is Different.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 12:39 PM on January 19, 2023 [6 favorites]
I think the reference to Ardern not being "properly elected" comes from an idea promulgated by the usual MMP-hating right-wingers, namely that the party with a plurality of votes should form the basis of government, coupled with a misapprehension that we elect prime ministers rather than parties. If you believe both of these incorrect ideas, you would think that NZ First was wrong to form a surprise coalition with Labour rather than with National in 2017. There is no basis in law for this, but some people were trying to manufacture a constitutional convention about what ought to happen. I have no doubt that if the situation had been reversed in 2017, some lefties would have been trying it on and the NZME commentariat would have been loftily referring to law and the cabinet manual (as I just have).
As a side note, this view takes the agency away from Labour and Ardern, who successfully negotiated a working coalition, and makes the main player NZ First and Winston Peters, as though Peters entirely on his own made this supposedly illegitimate call.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 1:11 PM on January 19, 2023
As a side note, this view takes the agency away from Labour and Ardern, who successfully negotiated a working coalition, and makes the main player NZ First and Winston Peters, as though Peters entirely on his own made this supposedly illegitimate call.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 1:11 PM on January 19, 2023
Engineers disease except for the wealthy - a lot of business people in NZ continue to think there is too much red-tape (there isn't, NZ is one of the easiest places to do business which is why also makes a good haven) and the government should get out of the way so they can continue to make bank. Until there are problems, then they want the government to step in (eg pay low wages, complain about lack of staff, hassle the govt to loosen visa restrictions, then treat immigrant staff terribly and put them in slave like conditions - hospo & farming in particular) or M.Bovis outbreak (farmers taking shortcuts with livestock movements and spreading the problem thereby threatening to destroy the industry).
Or the racists complaining about 'Māori asking for too much' (we stole their country!).
On top of that, the brain-worms from overseas infecting people with 'Q' and 'Anti-Vaxx' stuff.
It'd be a tough job being a PM or MP.
Conservative pols just don't seem to care - as long as they keep the middle-class & wealthy happy at the expense of the poor, its all gravy. And journos & media will fawn over them and their 'rock-star' economy.
Its only after a few terms, things will turn to custard, peoples conscience will be pricked, they'll vote centre-left and then piss & moan about all the required changes to sort things out. Sigh.
A three year term is just too short. Plenty of time to do a lot of damage, not much to rebuild or improve.
posted by phigmov at 1:15 PM on January 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
Or the racists complaining about 'Māori asking for too much' (we stole their country!).
On top of that, the brain-worms from overseas infecting people with 'Q' and 'Anti-Vaxx' stuff.
It'd be a tough job being a PM or MP.
Conservative pols just don't seem to care - as long as they keep the middle-class & wealthy happy at the expense of the poor, its all gravy. And journos & media will fawn over them and their 'rock-star' economy.
Its only after a few terms, things will turn to custard, peoples conscience will be pricked, they'll vote centre-left and then piss & moan about all the required changes to sort things out. Sigh.
A three year term is just too short. Plenty of time to do a lot of damage, not much to rebuild or improve.
posted by phigmov at 1:15 PM on January 19, 2023 [4 favorites]
I mean, she just looks so tired. I relate. Nothing in the tank.
posted by atomicstone at 2:01 PM on January 19, 2023
posted by atomicstone at 2:01 PM on January 19, 2023
She was and is a great leader of the country, especially during times of crisis as has been said endlessly, as the leader of the government she was... okay I guess? I don't remember ever seeing such a disconnect between the feelings that people have for the prime minister and for the ministers and government underneath her. Andrew Little (health minister) in particular seems to be absolutely loathed by every nurse I have ever met. Often (but not always) these same people love Ardern. It's normal for leaders to let underlings take the heat for unpopular policies, or just a dysfunctional system, but it catches up to you eventually.
There was a bizarre moment that sticks in my head from when the teachers were striking for higher pay and Chris Hipkins (education minister) addressed a hostile crowd outside parliament. Ok, normal and expected, they want a pay rise and he's not giving it to them. Then Jacinda came out and worked her magic on the crowd and you just wouldn't have believed that she was the first guy's boss. Like, who do they think is ultimately knocking the pay rise back? Same goes for all the other lacklustre Labour performers: Phil Twyford, David Clark, Poto Williams and so on. Jacinda has had this star quality that made a lot of people place her in a separate mental category to the rest of the government she leads, and which they grumble about day in day out.
posted by L.P. Hatecraft at 2:22 PM on January 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
There was a bizarre moment that sticks in my head from when the teachers were striking for higher pay and Chris Hipkins (education minister) addressed a hostile crowd outside parliament. Ok, normal and expected, they want a pay rise and he's not giving it to them. Then Jacinda came out and worked her magic on the crowd and you just wouldn't have believed that she was the first guy's boss. Like, who do they think is ultimately knocking the pay rise back? Same goes for all the other lacklustre Labour performers: Phil Twyford, David Clark, Poto Williams and so on. Jacinda has had this star quality that made a lot of people place her in a separate mental category to the rest of the government she leads, and which they grumble about day in day out.
posted by L.P. Hatecraft at 2:22 PM on January 19, 2023 [2 favorites]
Actually that's not fair on Chris Hipkins, he is definitely not lacklustre. I shouldn't have said "other".
posted by L.P. Hatecraft at 2:29 PM on January 19, 2023
posted by L.P. Hatecraft at 2:29 PM on January 19, 2023
Another kiwi in NY. Just got off a marathon phone call with my (very, very bright)
younger brother in Auckland. He says there are a ton of rumors swirling about
her partner's business activities? And that it looks like a preemptive strike, to ward off damage to
Labour by an investigation into his affairs? My brother says he absolutely doesn't know the truth,
but that - yes - the anti vax contingent have been merciless.
Personally, I am also gutted.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 2:44 PM on January 19, 2023
younger brother in Auckland. He says there are a ton of rumors swirling about
her partner's business activities? And that it looks like a preemptive strike, to ward off damage to
Labour by an investigation into his affairs? My brother says he absolutely doesn't know the truth,
but that - yes - the anti vax contingent have been merciless.
Personally, I am also gutted.
posted by Jody Tresidder at 2:44 PM on January 19, 2023
The right/anti-vax crazies have been pushing all sorts of silly rumours about her partner for years now, I'd take any of those with a giant dose of salt
posted by mbo at 3:02 PM on January 19, 2023 [8 favorites]
posted by mbo at 3:02 PM on January 19, 2023 [8 favorites]
mbo:The right/anti-vax crazies have been pushing all sorts of silly rumours about her partner for years now, I'd take any of those with a giant dose of salt
Thank you, mbo.
I knew I lacked context (and facts).
Salt dose added!
posted by Jody Tresidder at 3:30 PM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Thank you, mbo.
I knew I lacked context (and facts).
Salt dose added!
posted by Jody Tresidder at 3:30 PM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
A lot of people are talking about how this is terrible for Labour's election chances, but honestly I am not so sure about that.
It would seem to cut off the anti-vax / Q-influenced crowd right at the knees. Lockdowns are over as are most mandates, and now that there's no Jacinda to rail against, no traction in repurposing MAGA as "Make Ardern Go Away", what's left for a wingnut to do? The targets they are strike at are - whoosh - not there.
Admittedly, I live in an area that's a hotbed of that stuff and maybe I overestimate its importance nationally.
posted by inexorably_forward at 6:42 PM on January 19, 2023
It would seem to cut off the anti-vax / Q-influenced crowd right at the knees. Lockdowns are over as are most mandates, and now that there's no Jacinda to rail against, no traction in repurposing MAGA as "Make Ardern Go Away", what's left for a wingnut to do? The targets they are strike at are - whoosh - not there.
Admittedly, I live in an area that's a hotbed of that stuff and maybe I overestimate its importance nationally.
posted by inexorably_forward at 6:42 PM on January 19, 2023
He says there are a ton of rumors swirling about
her partner's business activities? And that it looks like a preemptive strike, to ward off damage to
Labour by an investigation into his affairs?
The rumours that I'm aware of are that her partner is actually in prison. The Police have repeatedly stated that he has never been charged with an offence, but even after that, the conspiracy theorists maintain there is something wrong with the Police statement, see e.g. the comments on this Official Information request.
posted by Pink Frost at 8:30 PM on January 19, 2023
her partner's business activities? And that it looks like a preemptive strike, to ward off damage to
Labour by an investigation into his affairs?
The rumours that I'm aware of are that her partner is actually in prison. The Police have repeatedly stated that he has never been charged with an offence, but even after that, the conspiracy theorists maintain there is something wrong with the Police statement, see e.g. the comments on this Official Information request.
posted by Pink Frost at 8:30 PM on January 19, 2023
I don't know anything about Henry Cooke, and only a little more about Jacinda Ardern, but if people are already blaming her for the rout, I strongly suspect that pretty much the same people would have blamed her for the defeat....
He's a very smart man, and has done some stellar political journalism. I'm not sure I agree with him, but that means I'm probably wrong.
My take: a significant number of swing voters had become disillusioned with Ardern, and she wasn't going to get them back. Under a new leader, Labour avoid the attacks that were aimed at her personally, and can argue they're in a post-COVID political situation. *Maybe* it's a fresh start that gets them over the line. It really looked to me as though the right was going to win later this year, the polls consistently had Labour/Greens behind National/ACT. Only a wild card would change that (high Maori Party vote, NZ First back in and supporting Labour even though they said they wouldn't.....?).
For me: she was a superb, effective and empathetic crisis leader, but her government failed to make transformational changes and ruled out things like a capital gains tax and (less importantly) drug law reform. They made progress on pay equity and increased benefits a little, but not enough. They restructured a lot, especially in the health system, but I'm not sure what that actually achieved. They effectively abandoned any action against COVID in about March 2022; they could at least be encouraging masks and ventilation, but no.
posted by Pink Frost at 8:44 PM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
He's a very smart man, and has done some stellar political journalism. I'm not sure I agree with him, but that means I'm probably wrong.
My take: a significant number of swing voters had become disillusioned with Ardern, and she wasn't going to get them back. Under a new leader, Labour avoid the attacks that were aimed at her personally, and can argue they're in a post-COVID political situation. *Maybe* it's a fresh start that gets them over the line. It really looked to me as though the right was going to win later this year, the polls consistently had Labour/Greens behind National/ACT. Only a wild card would change that (high Maori Party vote, NZ First back in and supporting Labour even though they said they wouldn't.....?).
For me: she was a superb, effective and empathetic crisis leader, but her government failed to make transformational changes and ruled out things like a capital gains tax and (less importantly) drug law reform. They made progress on pay equity and increased benefits a little, but not enough. They restructured a lot, especially in the health system, but I'm not sure what that actually achieved. They effectively abandoned any action against COVID in about March 2022; they could at least be encouraging masks and ventilation, but no.
posted by Pink Frost at 8:44 PM on January 19, 2023 [1 favorite]
Remember that Labour won the last election with an unprecedented (since we switched to MMP) number of votes, more than ANY party in the past 30 years, largely due to their early covid response. Whether there's a 'rout' or not there was always going to be a drop in the percentage number of votes they were going to get this time around, no one does that well long term. At the moment there's still only ~3% in it in the .end it could go either way in October.
One problem that the Labour caucus has right now is that because they have so many more members than usual there's a whole bunch of members with list seats who wont have them next year (I suspect this was really Gaurav Sharma's big issue, he knew he wasn't winning his Hamilton seat), there's going to be a lot of competition for high list entries, which may be part of the currency available for those hoping for a leadership spot
posted by mbo at 9:17 PM on January 19, 2023
One problem that the Labour caucus has right now is that because they have so many more members than usual there's a whole bunch of members with list seats who wont have them next year (I suspect this was really Gaurav Sharma's big issue, he knew he wasn't winning his Hamilton seat), there's going to be a lot of competition for high list entries, which may be part of the currency available for those hoping for a leadership spot
posted by mbo at 9:17 PM on January 19, 2023
This is such a shame for NZ. I won't be surprised if Labor ends up being punished for implementing world-best practice over COVID, though. There's a lot of bitterness from wealthy people over the cost to business that the lockdowns and closed borders brought, but not so much gratitude for saving the lives of many thousands. Such is politics :-(
as an Australian I think New Zealanders living and working in Australia for more than a year should be allowed to vote in Australia
They used to be able to vote - I have voted in every election since 1979 (when I turned 18) despite only becoming a citizen a couple of years ago. If you arrived before (I think) 1993 and were on the election roll then, you can stay on it, but not be added. Given the number of kiwis living in Australia and the lack of incentive to become a citizen (I only did it because I had to for work, but resisted for nearly a decade even then), there's a lot of taxation without representation going on in Australia.
I hope this works out for NZ Labor, because at least now they can go to the election with a leader that didn't 'cause' all the cost to business and can distance the party from that to some extent.
posted by dg at 12:59 AM on January 20, 2023
as an Australian I think New Zealanders living and working in Australia for more than a year should be allowed to vote in Australia
They used to be able to vote - I have voted in every election since 1979 (when I turned 18) despite only becoming a citizen a couple of years ago. If you arrived before (I think) 1993 and were on the election roll then, you can stay on it, but not be added. Given the number of kiwis living in Australia and the lack of incentive to become a citizen (I only did it because I had to for work, but resisted for nearly a decade even then), there's a lot of taxation without representation going on in Australia.
I hope this works out for NZ Labor, because at least now they can go to the election with a leader that didn't 'cause' all the cost to business and can distance the party from that to some extent.
posted by dg at 12:59 AM on January 20, 2023
Weird how when a man is crap it is somehow a woman's fault.
Not sure where the accusation of sexism comes from. Wynne had a 19% approval rating going into the election. Thinking that she could recover from that was an act of massive hubris. But apparently a throwaway comment accusing someone on the internet of misogyny (with zero evidence) is okay. Do you actually know anything about Ontario politics? You seem to be based out of Chicago.
If Ontario's voters hadn't decided they were going to throw the car keys to Doug Ford, a man with an already-demonstrated record of cruelty, lying and corruption, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess today.
I think both of these things can be true?
posted by sid at 9:38 AM on January 20, 2023
Not sure where the accusation of sexism comes from. Wynne had a 19% approval rating going into the election. Thinking that she could recover from that was an act of massive hubris. But apparently a throwaway comment accusing someone on the internet of misogyny (with zero evidence) is okay. Do you actually know anything about Ontario politics? You seem to be based out of Chicago.
If Ontario's voters hadn't decided they were going to throw the car keys to Doug Ford, a man with an already-demonstrated record of cruelty, lying and corruption, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess today.
I think both of these things can be true?
posted by sid at 9:38 AM on January 20, 2023
"It would seem to cut off the anti-vax / Q-influenced crowd right at the knees. Lockdowns are over as are most mandates, and now that there's no Jacinda to rail against, no traction in repurposing MAGA as "Make Ardern Go Away", what's left for a wingnut to do? The targets they are strike at are - whoosh - not there."
I don't know any hard evidence on this, but my estimation is that freak conspiracist constituency is still small, just vocal. I base that on the very high numbers of people who got vaccinated AND boosted, and on the frankly low turnout to protests (I remember 1981 and the monster crowds that could turn out). As a student of the right fringe, they have already been destabilised by the removal of almost all public health measures, and are flailing for other issues to lock on to: transphobia, climate denial, Māori sovereignty, ... without being able to recapture the same high. If anything, they are ECSTATIC right now (check out their Telegram groups) because they think they did it! They won! So possibly they will feel boosted for a while.
Having said all that: I do agree that almost as the corollary of being charismatic and charming JA was also an inspiring focus for opposition. A successor won't have that problem (but also won't have her formidable skills as a communicator).
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 11:38 AM on January 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
I don't know any hard evidence on this, but my estimation is that freak conspiracist constituency is still small, just vocal. I base that on the very high numbers of people who got vaccinated AND boosted, and on the frankly low turnout to protests (I remember 1981 and the monster crowds that could turn out). As a student of the right fringe, they have already been destabilised by the removal of almost all public health measures, and are flailing for other issues to lock on to: transphobia, climate denial, Māori sovereignty, ... without being able to recapture the same high. If anything, they are ECSTATIC right now (check out their Telegram groups) because they think they did it! They won! So possibly they will feel boosted for a while.
Having said all that: I do agree that almost as the corollary of being charismatic and charming JA was also an inspiring focus for opposition. A successor won't have that problem (but also won't have her formidable skills as a communicator).
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 11:38 AM on January 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
Chris Hipkins to be the new PM as the only nominee! I have always actually quite liked him (from afar) - not the least that he went to Petone Memorial College - which - to be fair - wasn't exactly an elite school normally associated with PMs....he always seemed like a good honest Petone/Hutt boy. I hope he goes well, and I hope him being unopposed is a sign Labour will hang together.
(side note: My parents wouldn't let me go to Petone Memorial College almost the same year as Chris - it was "not a school of choice" - so haha - see that mum and dad - I could have been PM!)
posted by inflatablekiwi at 1:16 PM on January 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
(side note: My parents wouldn't let me go to Petone Memorial College almost the same year as Chris - it was "not a school of choice" - so haha - see that mum and dad - I could have been PM!)
posted by inflatablekiwi at 1:16 PM on January 20, 2023 [5 favorites]
Also, for people who don't know Chris, I think he has his own charm....whether it is cycling 30km to work as an MP, encouraging New Zealander's to spread their legs to prevent covid, or appearing out of the forest to give a Covid briefing.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 3:32 PM on January 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by inflatablekiwi at 3:32 PM on January 20, 2023 [2 favorites]
Let's not forget this either.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 4:27 PM on January 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 4:27 PM on January 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Just a different style of politics in New Zealand
The conference was due to start at 11am, but it was delayed slightly, with Hipkins’ mother apologising to media for her son’s tardiness. The reason for the delay? Hipkins had to rush home to pick up a suit especially for the occasion.
One journalist wrote online that rather than a horde of political minders at today's Covid presser, Hipkin’s mum came and apologised for her son running late.
She didn't need to, but mums will be mums, the post said.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 4:46 PM on January 20, 2023
The conference was due to start at 11am, but it was delayed slightly, with Hipkins’ mother apologising to media for her son’s tardiness. The reason for the delay? Hipkins had to rush home to pick up a suit especially for the occasion.
One journalist wrote online that rather than a horde of political minders at today's Covid presser, Hipkin’s mum came and apologised for her son running late.
She didn't need to, but mums will be mums, the post said.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 4:46 PM on January 20, 2023
16 years ago .... our outgoing PM and incoming PM hanging out in Hyde Park
posted by mbo at 6:07 PM on January 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by mbo at 6:07 PM on January 20, 2023 [1 favorite]
Thanks, i_am_joe's_spleen, I don't have the stomach for right-wing Telegram so it's good to hear what they're on about without having to read it myself! I certainly expect gloating, but figure that's not as effective a recruiting tool as resentment and fear.
Also it gives me some hope that you consider them small. I wasn't in NZ yet in 1981, so I didn't have that context.
posted by inexorably_forward at 2:27 PM on January 21, 2023 [1 favorite]
Also it gives me some hope that you consider them small. I wasn't in NZ yet in 1981, so I didn't have that context.
posted by inexorably_forward at 2:27 PM on January 21, 2023 [1 favorite]
I was out and about earlier today and saw a group of Voices For Freedom people with placards lining a short stretch of road. A grab bag of issues: SUPPORT FARMERS, NO TO DIGITAL ID, something about water, KEEP CASH, HELP THE VACCINE INJURED, JACINDA IS OUT (interesting they turned that sign around so fast). Only the sign wavers and a few others milling around. No toots of support that I heard (until my partner leaned out the car window and gave them the fingers, then there was a toot that could have been for or against).
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 4:58 PM on January 21, 2023
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 4:58 PM on January 21, 2023
The end of the politics of care .
"Perhaps, rather than asking what made Jacinda Ardern decide to resign from her job as prime minister, it might be more useful to ask what might have made her choose to keep going."
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 4:29 PM on January 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
"Perhaps, rather than asking what made Jacinda Ardern decide to resign from her job as prime minister, it might be more useful to ask what might have made her choose to keep going."
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 4:29 PM on January 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Radio New Zealand reviews Ardern's performance against her own stated goals.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 2:35 PM on January 31, 2023
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 2:35 PM on January 31, 2023
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I really dislike Chris Luxton and David Seymour. Please don't let the Nats and ACT take over in October (*sigh* it’s happening though isn’t it?).
posted by inflatablekiwi at 8:58 PM on January 18, 2023 [6 favorites]