New Zealand election

[JayJay]

NZ votes this Saturday (17th of Septmeber).

I've been mulling over whether to vote or not. Apprently I can, but Ive been out of NZ for over 2 (almost 3) years now so dont really have much of a clue whats going on.

So.

Here is a section to discuss NZ politics. WHo do you like/hate? who has the best policies? what are the biggest issues to you?

For me its

-race relations/treaty issues (this is a bit touchy right now I hear)
-Immergration
-Art and culture
-Drug Law reform
-Defence and Foriegn Policy
-Economy
-Enviromental issues.

Usually Ive been a Labour/Green man but I think Japan has made me a little more conservative.

Helen is doing an OK job but should we keep the status quo or give somebody else a run?

What do you think of Don Brash?

Aussies and other non-Kiwis welcome in this discussion, if you actaully know whats going on in NZ. I dont know how many Kiwi still hang around GP these days.

[User Name Deleted]

My cousins are all going to vote National, they think it's time for a tax cut, and they don't like bossy old Helen.

The NZ election's been getting some press over here, and it sounds like it will be close.

[paulh]

NWhat do you think of Don Brash?

Aussies and other non-Kiwis welcome in this discussion, if you actaully know whats going on in NZ. I dont know how many Kiwi still hang around GP these days.


Im a Kiwi but after 20 years in Japan I have no idea who my MP is anymore. It used to be Muldoon before he passed on.

Dont follow it too much but Clark is becoming like Margaret Thatcher. democratic dictatorship becuase they dont like the opposition. Like at Conservatives in England.

Brash is a smart guy but I would be like having your bank manager or accountant in your living room every night. real family man though.

[User Name Deleted]

Well what do you think will happen JayJay?
The result is up in the air.

[paulh]

Well what do you think will happen JayJay?
The result is up in the air.


My bet is it will swing to Labour and Helen will get in again. There are a lot of nervous Maori in New Zealand at the moment.

[User Name Deleted]

My bet is it will swing to Labour and Helen will get in again. There are a lot of nervous Maori in New Zealand at the moment.

Have you seen the results? Special votes may have an impact, but either way, it will require a 4 party coalition for either Labour or National to govern.

[paulh]

Have you seen the results? Special votes may have an impact, but either way, it will require a 4 party coalition for either Labour or National to govern.


Its almost becoming like Japan or Italy with their coalition governments. How many parties are there now in NZ? About 6?

Koizumi has a decent enough majority he doesnt need the Komeito now or those pesky anti-reform MPs.

[User Name Deleted]

Its almost becoming like Japan or Italy with their coalition governments. How many parties are there now in NZ? About 6?

.

Not sure, but JayJay can enlighten us I'm sure.
I think there are a few smaller parties that have won electorate seats despite not getting the necessary 5%.

[paulh]

Not sure, but JayJay can enlighten us I'm sure.
I think there are a few smaller parties that have won electorate seats despite not getting the necessary 5%.


Get a load of this. It IS like Italy with even 5 or 6 Maori parties. Not bad for a country with only 4 million people and 300,000 Maoris.

http://www.elections.org.nz/parties/registered_political_parties.html

[JayJay]

The parties I know off (and the ones with seats when I left).

-Labour (centre left)
-National (centre right)
-Greens (far left, strong on enviroment and drug law reform)
-The Alliance (far left, strong on social issues)
-Unitied (centre, Christian, strong on family issues)
-NZ First (centre, Xenophobic, strong on Immergration and pension)
-ACT (far right, strong on economy and tax cuts)

now I think
-no Alliance, progresive party instead
-The Moari Party

The Alliance was a main partner of Labour but since the last election has split up, and Im not sure what the new parties are. That will weaken Labour and the lefts hand for sure. The Greens almost always side with labour but last time didnt actually coiline with them. Act always join with National and Unitied and NZ First are the centre wild cards (could go either way, esp NZ First and Winston Peters)

I have been checking the results and I think it will be down to a coinlition. My guess is Labour will win, barely, but I hear this year the smaller parties (not National or Labour) got a weak showing. Most Kiwis seem to have voted for one of the "big two".

Right now in the news, both Brash and Clark are saying they'll win through coillition. Nail biting stuff. I think even if Labour win, they should think closely about why this was such a close election.

Here some news

http://www.tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411319/611933

[JayJay]

The Maori Party is the surpirse wildcard. They are only 15 months old but seem to hold the balence with United and NZ First. They have said they can work with either Labour or National.

They're still counting the special votes, on top of all the sleezy dealing to get a coillition, so I dont think there will be a clear winning for a day or two.

Funny how in NZ the election isn't over till ALL the votes are counted. Unlike some "democracies"........

[JayJay]

Ok its beginning to look like Labour will get it now. Still not certian but BBC is reporting a Labour "win".