After the resignation of New Zealand’s political star Jacinda Ardern, her successor Chris Hipkins is now fighting to keep the Labor Party in government. But in polls the opposition is ahead – with a different Chris.
Politics in New Zealand has lost its glamor for international observers since Jacinda Ardern resigned as head of government in January.
Her successor Chris Hipkins is 45 years old, likes climbing, is a fan of sausages in puff pastry and Diet Coke. A man of the center who should appeal to a broader electorate than Ardern and thus lead the social democratic Labor Party to a third term in office.
Chris Hipkins hands out bratwursts at a press event.
“Acquired a pile of crap”
Under Ardern, Hipkins was minister for education, the civil service and, at times, health. During the Covid pandemic he was able to distinguish himself as a crisis manager. When a flood disaster and Cyclone Gabrielle hit New Zealand right at the beginning of his term in office, he was able to demonstrate these skills again.
“It’s actually well received, but I think he just bought a bunch of rubbish,” says Monique Surges, head of the German Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand. The way things are going at the moment, his chances are rather slim. The Labor Party has struggled with internal scandals and ministerial changes in recent months.
The population complains about the rising cost of living, high inflation, a lack of affordable housing, an ailing health system and increasing gang and drug crime in the cities. These topics therefore also dominated the election campaign.
Opposition leads in polls
According to surveys, everything looks like a change of government. Chippy, as Chris Hipkins is also known, is in second place with 26 percent approval. The largest opposition party, the conservative National Party, is in the lead with 36 percent. Their slogan: Get the country back on track. One of her most important campaign promises: tax cuts.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon is a political newcomer. The 53-year-old businessman was CEO of New Zealand airline Air New Zealand. He has been in parliament for three years. During the election campaign, he traveled a lot around the country to talk to people, even in small towns.
“Everyone plays it safe”
New Zealanders Louise and Stephanie from Auckland are not enthusiastic about either politician. In their eyes, none of the major parties are really tackling the country’s problems. “Everyone plays it safe to get elected,” says Stephanie.
For example, Hipkins put the brakes on a planned wealth tax and has been focusing on “bread and butter” issues since the beginning of the year, as he says. The government increased childcare subsidies, reduced public transport costs and offered more free school meals to support middle-income people.
Ex-Prime Minister Ardern polarized
The two women from Auckland miss Jacinda Ardern and her way of tackling and changing things. The former head of government lived in their neighborhood. But Ardern is deliberately staying out of the election campaign. She is currently in the USA at Harvard University. Political observers consider this to be a strategically good decision. Ardern’s politics divided society in New Zealand: she was loved or hated and received death threats, especially because of her strict Covid policy.
While her approachable political style was celebrated abroad, criticism at home continued to grow. “I call it the Merkel effect,” says Monique Surges. “In New Zealand everyone talked really well about Merkel. And then I was amazed when I spoke to relatives in Germany. They just complained.”
Maori politics is a controversial topic
Not only was Ardern’s Covid policy criticized, but also her focus on revitalizing the language and culture of the indigenous Maori. “There are a lot of white New Zealanders who feel cornered by politics,” observes Surges. You are almost obliged to learn Maori. The language is increasingly found in government documents, on government websites and on road signs. Surges herself is now learning the indigenous language with her colleagues in the office.
Around 15 percent of New Zealanders describe themselves as Maori. One of them is Etienne Neho from the Ngati Whatua Orakei tribe. He wants to give his vote to the Maori Party. “This is the only way we can move forward, for the good of our people, our culture and our language.”
Foreign policy is a topic for the first time
For the first time in years, New Zealand’s foreign and defense policy is an election issue. The public is increasingly concerned about geopolitical tensions over Taiwan and China’s claims to power on its doorstep in the South Pacific. China, for example, has concluded a security agreement with the Solomon Islands, although it is still not clear what the pact entails.
Labor’s tone has hardened amid Beijing’s growing presence in the South Pacific, while the National Party is more likely to seek further rapprochement for economic reasons. However, the positions do not differ very much.
Differences in climate protection
When it comes to climate protection, National and Labor are taking different tones. The Ardern government has introduced a number of new laws and regulations to reduce carbon emissions. For example, emissions from agricultural businesses, such as sheep and cattle farms, are to be taxed from the end of 2025.
This proposal has met with considerable protest from farmers who fear higher production costs and reduced competitiveness. The National Party wants to delay taxation by five years until 2030, while also lifting the ban on genetic engineering.
No enthusiasm
The mood in New Zealand is one of change. The majority seem to have had enough of Labor and want to try something new. But according to the polls, Luxon’s National Party will not be able to govern alone and will have to find coalition partners. This could be the populist New Zealand First party or the right-wing liberal ACT party.
Overall, both major parties and their candidates seem unable to inspire voters, neither Chris Hipkins nor Chris Luxon. But either way, a Chris will almost certainly become New Zealand’s new head of government.