New zealand government


New Zealanders get what they voted for

New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key has announced his new ministry, after final results from the NZ electoral commission confirmed his re-election for a second term.

NZ Nats cruising to victory, but poll nerds pay attention

New Zealand prime minister John Key and his National Party are cruising towards an easy victory in tomorrow’s poll. But those who are interested in the prospects for democracy will be interested.

NZ oil spill a two-way disaster — for the environment and the PM

A rich local marine environment — and the immediate political fortunes of New Zealand’s government — hinge on the fate of the crippled cargo ship Rena, writes freelancer David Ritter.

NZ election “politics on speed”

Minor parties have been wooed, cabinet places are being brokered, and the opposition have been through a speedy, bloodless leadership change, writes Tim Watkin.

Change New Zealanders can believe in

In the 1980s, Douglas’s reforms were just what New Zealand needed, but now its voters seem content with the middle ground that Labour and National both occupy, writes Charles Richardson.

NZ election 2: Will Kiwis get change as well?

Whatever the system’s defects, New Zealanders at least will get the parliament that they vote for - which doesn’t, of course, mean that they’ll like it. But that’s politics for you, writes Charles Richardson.

NZ election 1: The formula is simple

National will win the most votes and can count on ACT and United Future for support. Labour will come second, with the Greens and Progressives onside, writes Tim Watkin.

NZ Election 1: Helen Clark is beached bro

After nine years at the top Helen Clark’s rein as New Zealand Prime Minister may be about to end in an election that parallels Australia’s in 2007, writes Kevin Childs.

NZ Election 2: Credit crunch is king

With just 16 days to go before Kiwis head to the polls, the credit crunch has become the political puppet-master, tugging the parties to and fro, writes Tim Watkin.

NZ election: Tax tax tax

Politicians promising to cut taxes and get tough on crime is lock-it-in, damned certain signal that an election is on the horizon, writes Tim Watkin.

Kiwi campaign kicks off with a tux cut

In just over five weeks New Zealand will go to the polls and Labour begins the campaign a length or two behind the opposition National party, writes Tim Watkin.

AGL’s abandoned wind farm — the story behind the story

Locals rejoiced yesterday when AGL withdrew plans for a controversial wind farm in Dollar, in Victoria’s south east. The company said it was a commercial decision, but there is another story to be told here, one about the power of citizens to repel dubious development, writes Lionel Elmore.