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There will be a change of government in New Zealand after the National Party achieved an election victory over Labor.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon, 53, will become Prime Minister for the first time.
His victory was due to his campaigning on tax breaks and being tough on crime.
The country’s shift to the right marked the end of Labor’s six-year term in office, which was marred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Christchurch mosque attacks and the White Island volcanic eruption.
It is expected that Luxon will form the government with the help of ACT Party.
To form a government, either the left or right bloc – as New Zealand refers to the coalition – must reach 61 seats.
With 90 percent of the votes counted, National and ACT had 61 seats between them – enough for a majority.
What will the outcome mean for Australia?
In short: not much. Peter Chen, a senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, said it was unlikely much would change other than the Kiwi leader not having the same international profile as Ms Ardern. Mr. Evett agreed. “Regardless of who is in power, his foreign policy is going to remain the same. Australia is generally in the same situation,” he said. So unless something major happens, it’s unlikely we’ll see any change in New Zealand’s thinking about issues like joining the AUKUS submarine agreement. The two leaders met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a visit to Tasman in July. Serious crime and the rights of New Zealanders living in Australia.
When asked if Luxon’s victory could change this, the Australian leader declined to comment on the NZ election. The NZ opposition leader told the ABC at the time that he saw the “very positive, very strong” relationship continuing. Elected. Mr Luxon said he had worked closely with Mr Albanese when he was head of Air New Zealand and the prime minister was transport minister. Whichever way the votes fall, talks on who will form the government should be finalized by November 3.
The Jacinda Arden-era is over
Nine months after former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern resigned as leader, the country took a turn to the right.
Ms Ardern led the country through the Covid-19 pandemic, the Christchurch mosque attacks and the White Island volcanic eruption.
The pandemic led to a strict lockdown in the country, which successfully kept infections down but harmed the economy.
As a result, cost of living became a major issue during the election.
When she stepped down from her role as leader in January, she handed the reigns to Chris Hipkins.
Mr Hipkins accepted defeat on Saturday night.
“We will ensure a smooth transition to the new government in the coming days,” he said.
“Despite governing through some of the greatest challenges our government has ever faced, we moved New Zealand forward and we protected those who needed help most.”
