Tag: NZ Election 2023
NZ's new government is getting tough on gangs – but all the necessary laws already exist
The government’s promised crack-down on gangs may have to work around existing legislation – and human rights provisions.
Return of the ‘consultocracy’ – how cutting public service jobs to save costs usually backfires
History suggests the new NZ government’s pledge to cut budgets and jobs in the public sector will cost more in the long run – and damage morale in the process.
NZ First fears over WHO regulations are misplaced – robust checks and balances already exist
Despite demands for an urgent ‘reservation’ and ‘national interest test’ over new WHO regulations, New Zealand’s sovereignty is not at risk from international agreements or treaties.
Nicola Willis warns of fiscal ‘snakes and snails’ – her first mini-budget will be a test of NZ’s no-surprises finance rules
The Public Finance Act is designed to prevent shocks and ‘fiscal cliffs’. And it is unlikely any problems faced by Nicola Willis will match the scale of those that dogged previous governments.
Is Winston Peters right to call state-funded journalism ‘bribery’ – or is there a bigger threat to democracy?
The Public Interest Journalism Fund became a lightning rod for disinformation well before Winston Peters likened it to ‘bribery’. Policy making has already been compromised as a result.
Why redefining the Treaty principles would undermine real political equality in NZ
The ACT Party claims revisiting the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi is about political equality. But removing a Māori cultural dimension to New Zealand’s democracy would have an opposite effect.
Three parties, two deals, one government: the stress points within New Zealand's 'coalition of many colours'
The country’s first formal three-party coalition will test Christopher Luxon’s promise of ‘strong and stable’ government – and the minor parties’ patience if things don’t go their way.
Lost voices: ethnic diversity in the New Zealand parliament will decline after the 2023 election
While Māori have seen a steady increase in representation in parliament since the beginning of MMP, other ethnic minorities have experienced uneven growth. The new parliament will see a step back.
Fake news didn't play a big role in NZ's 2023 election – but there was a rise in 'small lies'
We found the number of “big lies” – also known as fake news – didn’t increase in 2023 compared to 2020. But we did spot more “small lies” this time. Here’s what to look out for in coming elections.
Winston Peters back in the driver's seat for coalition negotiations
National and ACT will need to get past their animosity towards NZ First, and its mercurial leader Winston Peters, if the right wing coalition is to have any hope of forming a government.
National drops 2 seats on NZ final results, and will need NZ First to form government
Coalition talks can now start in earnest after the final results for the 2023 election were released.
Special votes mean National and ACT will likely lose their majority
Ahead of Friday’s final election results, the most likely outcome is National and ACT will need to add NZ First to form a right-wing coalition government. These are the results and seats to watch.
Who are the 'kōhanga reo generation' and how could they change Māori and mainstream politics?
A new generation of Māori politicians is rising. Young and self-assured, they are the children of a movement that began 40 years ago.
NZ election 2023: Labour out, National in – either way, neoliberalism wins again
Beneath the obvious policy differences between Labour and National lies a tacit consensus on fundamental economic settings. Until that changes, political choice will be constrained.
From a red tide in 2020 to blood on the floor in 2023 – NZ slams the door on Labour
The final outcome of the general election may not be known for two weeks. But one thing is clear: the country has resoundingly rejected the government that led it through the pandemic.
