Next promise by re-elected Prime Minister of NZ

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17
Oct

Keeping and improving position

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern won the second term after her Labour Party's landslide victory today. Final results will be released in three weeks once additional votes – including the results from overseas – are counted.

Labour's campaign slogan "Let's Keep Moving" seemed rather plain to many but it reflected the plain political image of their leader who kept moving successfully since her college years towards her simple goal of becoming a prime minister. Sometimes life proves the biblical wisdom that suggests asking for what you want to be granted your wish come true.

 

PM Jacinda Ardern (L) and National leader Judith Collins (R) during a live debate on 22 September 2020 in Auckland. Credit to CNN
PM Jacinda Ardern (L) and National leader Judith Collins (R) during a live debate on 22 September 2020 in Auckland. Credit: CNN

 

The three major crises have defined Ardern’s first term in office: the 2019 terror attack resulting in 51 murdered people at two Christchurch mosques, the White Island (Whakaari) volcano eruption last December killing 21 and injuring many more, and the coronavirus pandemic spread.

 

Queen Elizabeth II greets PM of NZ Jacinda Ardern at Buckingham Palace on 19 April 2018. Credit to CNN
Queen Elizabeth II greets PM of NZ Jacinda Ardern at Buckingham Palace on 19 April 2018. Credit: CNN

 

Despite these unprecedented disasters, Ardern's reelection was obviously successfully guaranteed by her "go hard and go early" approach to handling the coronavirus. New Zealand was one of the first nations to close its borders, and there were two extended periods of lockdown, which has helped the country to avoid the kind of devastating outbreaks seen elsewhere. Ardern announced a nationwide lockdown in March when it only had 102 cases and, also, she postponed the election from September 19 to October 17. New Zealand has reported less than 2,000 total cases and 25 deaths since the pandemic began.

 

Prince William and Jacinda Ardern greeting each other with a hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, at Anzac Day service in Auckland on 25 April 2019. Credit to CNN
Prince William and Jacinda Ardern greeting each other with a hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, at Anzac Day service in Auckland on 25 April 2019. Credit: CNN

 

She has no harsh opposition. However, there are plenty of people who disagree with her political choice and never voted for her. Ardern and NZ Labour Party have attacked the rural community by creating strict environmental controls to clean up the country's polluted waterways. This made local farmers' life harder. Since New Zealand has taken on more public debt this year to cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic the people worry that her party – that never gave any explanations towards the crucial question of how they plan to repay it – has poor business expertise. Accordingly, her detractors have labeled Prime Minister Ardern "Taxcinda" due to her party's tendency to taxing.

 

Jacinda Ardern. Credit to Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Jacinda Ardern. Credit: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

 

There are other key criticisms of Jacinda Ardern as a prime minister. However, it is now obvious that more of his fellow citizens believe in her ability to lead the country towards her promised "transformation" rather than doubt her abilities based on facts. In her speech on Saturday night, Jacinda Ardern said: "I can promise you: we will be a party that governs for every New Zealander".