New Zealand's Ardern storms to re-election with 'be strong, be kind' mantra

[rooster59]

New Zealand's Ardern storms to re-election with 'be strong, be kind' mantra

By Praveen Menon

 

FILE PHOTO: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern participates in a televised debate with National leader Judith Collins at TVNZ in Auckland, New Zealand, September 22, 2020. Fiona Goodall/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

 

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Jacinda Ardern turned speaking from the heart and smiling through adversity into a winning formula for a blowout re-election as New Zealand's leader on Saturday.

 

Now Ardern, who made a name for herself by crushing COVID-19 in the country and healing the nation after a massacre of Muslims by a white supremacist, faces a challenge to show her leadership extends beyond crisis management and kindness.

 

Her Labour Party won a landslide victory in the general election, a resounding mandate that ushers in New Zealand's first purely left-leaning government in decades and may allow her to form a single-party government. [L4N2H73V7]

 

The win is also the reward for Ardern's leadership through a series of extraordinary events that shaped her first three-year term: the gunman's massacre of 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques and the eruption of the White Island volcano, which killed 21.

 

"Be strong, be kind," New Zealand's youngest prime minister in more than a century repeated through these dramatic events, her empathetic leadership and crisis management skills often masking her government's shortcomings.

 

Ardern's left-leaning government will face a looming economic hangover from COVID-19, a deep plunge in output and surge in debt after her strict lockdowns, a worsening housing crisis and a growing divide between rich and poor.

 

Despite promising a transformational term in 2017, Ardern's affordable housing programme was set back by blunders, plans for a capital gains tax that would have addressed the growing rich-poor divide were scrapped, and her government fell woefully short of its goal to reduce child poverty.

 

Even on climate change, which Ardern called "my generation's nuclear-free moment", progress has been incremental.

 

"I think it's fair to say they have not achieved what they had hoped to achieve," said Ganesh Nana, Research Director at Wellington economic think tank BERL. "There are many disappointed with the pace of change."

 

REFRESHING CHANGE

 

Ardern burst onto the global scene in 2017 when she became the world's youngest female head of government at the age of 37.

 

She became a global icon in a rise dubbed "Jacinda-mania," as she campaigned passionately for women's rights and an end to child poverty and economic inequality in the island nation.

 

Ardern, raised a Mormon by her mother and police officer father, left the church over its stance on LGBTQ people in the early 2000s and has since described herself as agnostic.

 

Asked by a television presenter, hours after being appointed Labour leader in 2017, whether she planned to have children, Ardern said it was "totally unacceptable in 2017 to say that women should have to answer that question in the workplace".

 

Ardern did in fact have a baby daughter in June 2018, eight months after becoming prime minister - only the second elected leader to give birth while in office, after Pakistan's Benazir Bhutto.

 

Many took her pregnancy and maternity leave in office as symbolising progress for women leaders. Within three months of arriving in the world, her daughter Neve Te Aroha was at the U.N. General Assembly in New York with her mother.

 

Ardern is feted globally as part of a new wave of progressive and young leaders that include France's Emmanuel Macron and Canada's Justin Trudeau.

 

Helen Clark, a former New Zealand prime minister for whom Ardern worked after university, said the young leader represents a refreshing and sharp point of difference in a world where news is dominated by utterances of populist and authoritarian leaders.

 

"Jacinda Ardern can be best compared with the three Scandinavian women prime ministers who are from the centre-left," said Clark, co-chair of a World Health Organization panel on the global COVID-19 response.

 

"All of them have led good responses to the pandemic, putting health security first and communicating in an empathetic way with the public in each of their countries."

 

CHRISTCHURCH

 

Last year Ardern received worldwide praise for her response to the Christchurch attacks, which she labelled terrorism.

She wore a hijab as she met the Muslim community the next day, telling them the country was "united in grief".

 

She delivered a ban on semiautomatic firearms and other gun curbs, a stark contrast to the United States, where lawmakers and activists have struggled to address gun violence despite numerous mass shootings.

 

At the U.N. General Assembly, Ardern, asked world leaders: "What if we no longer see ourselves based on what we look like, what religion we practice, or where we live ... but by what we value?

 

"Humanity, kindness, an innate sense of our connection to each other. And a belief that we are guardians, not just of our home and our planet, but of each other."

 

(Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Kevin Liffey and William Mallard)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-17

 

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[JCauto]

Where are the Alt-Right to spin this one? Surely the NZers are fed up with the unjustified hindrances to their freedom from this virus hoax?

[welovesundaysatspace]

One of the few western countries that apparently has achieved to not breed a considerable number of losers and idiots who vote far-right and believe QAnon. Good job, New Zealand! 

[Kiwiken]

Interestingly even in Safe national Seats (right wing) the Party vote was overwhelmingly Labour. People supported the Candidates they like but a majority back the New Zealand labour party. They voted for "People" over Capital and perceived Freedom

[thaibeachlovers]

16 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Despite promising a transformational term in 2017, Ardern's affordable housing programme was set back by blunders, plans for a capital gains tax that would have addressed the growing rich-poor divide were scrapped, and her government fell woefully short of its goal to reduce child poverty.

Corona saved her. Were it not for that, her, IMO, dismal performance when it came to making NZer's lives better, she'd have probably been saying goodbye to the big chair now.

 

LOL. "set back" doesn't begin to describe it.

They did quite well on bicycle paths though.

 

16 hours ago, rooster59 said:

She delivered a ban on semiautomatic firearms and other gun curbs,

Which was pretty much a fiasco, IMO.

 

If she doesn't shape up and deliver this term, IMO labour will be able to fit sitting members in a small van, post next election.

Empathy and hugs only gets a politician so far.

[thaibeachlovers]

15 minutes ago, Kiwiken said:

Interestingly even in Safe national Seats (right wing) the Party vote was overwhelmingly Labour. People supported the Candidates they like but a majority back the New Zealand labour party. They voted for "People" over Capital and perceived Freedom

I'd say it was more that National had been a shambles since they back stabbed Simon, and has been pathetic at standing up for farmers etc. A party that abandons its base is in trouble at the polls.

Seems from the conversations on talkback, many were going to support labour to get a majority so they could govern without the greens. If labour invites the greens into a coalition without Winston to stop the OTT green agenda, NZ is in trouble IMO.

[Deerculler]

There was three things that gave her a high profile.

The massacre, the volcanic eruption, the Corona virus 

She rode high on those things which gave her a world wide profile.

Labour did very little about there promises they made.

It it had not been for those three things she would be nothing.

She is a good talker particularly in her world of comrades.

I guess now time will tell.

[murraynz]

Labour will continue to penalize hard workers,but increase the handouts to those who dont want to work.

Letting too many immigrants into the country,also creates many problems..

Making many new anti landlord rules,will create an even greater housing shortage..

 

[unblocktheplanet]

She's a star, as good as you can get in a pol, maybe even will distinguish herself worldwide as a stateswoman. Travesty to compare her to Macron or Trudeau!

[Sujo]

Shes a good operator and comes off as caring and compassionate.

 

NZ sure does punch above its weight, its good to see there are many kiwis using logic in elections instead of hatred.

[RickBradford]

I would like some journalist to ask Ardern the simple question: what is your exit strategy for the Covid issue?

 

Given her present goal of "elimination" of the virus, the country could remain isolated for 10 or 20 years at best, perhaps forever.

 

Some politician, somewhere outside Sweden, has to understand that this virus, like colds and influenza, is here to stay.

[Tug]

Good governance got good results kudos madam I’m sure NZ will continue to thrive with your wise council congratulations and the best of luck to you and your country 

[Deerculler]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Corona saved her. Were it not for that, her, IMO, dismal performance when it came to making NZer's lives better, she'd have probably been saying goodbye to the big chair now.

 

LOL. "set back" doesn't begin to describe it.

They did quite well on bicycle paths though.

 

Which was pretty much a fiasco, IMO.

 

If she doesn't shape up and deliver this term, IMO labour will be able to fit sitting members in a small van, post next election.

Empathy and hugs only gets a politician so far.I

I agree 100percent.

Edited October 18, 2020 by Deerculler
Wrong word

[daveAustin]

5 hours ago, RickBradford said:

I would like some journalist to ask Ardern the simple question: what is your exit strategy for the Covid issue?

 

Given her present goal of "elimination" of the virus, the country could remain isolated for 10 or 20 years at best, perhaps forever.

 

Some politician, somewhere outside Sweden, has to understand that this virus, like colds and influenza, is here to stay.

I agree. She's just another wishy washy, everything's awesome leftie. Easy to claim success when you're in the middle of the Pacific. Only a monkey could screw things up there on covid. They have not had any exposure and will have to remain closed for the duration or hope someone develops a vaccine before they can rejoin the human race.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, RickBradford said:

I would like some journalist to ask Ardern the simple question: what is your exit strategy for the Covid issue?

 

Given her present goal of "elimination" of the virus, the country could remain isolated for 10 or 20 years at best, perhaps forever.

 

Some politician, somewhere outside Sweden, has to understand that this virus, like colds and influenza, is here to stay.

Unfortunately "journalists" ( I use the term advisedly ) in NZ are mainly in the bag for Ardern and apparently only ask her softball questions.

One that hosts talkback and would ask that question is still waiting for her to come on his show.

[Katipo]

19 hours ago, Kiwiken said:

Interestingly even in Safe national Seats (right wing) the Party vote was overwhelmingly Labour. People supported the Candidates they like but a majority back the New Zealand labour party. They voted for "People" over Capital and perceived Freedom

NZ is consistently voted one of the freeist countries in the world, if not the most free (e.g. http://www.worldfreedomindex.com/). Having a healthy democracy is at the heart of this, regardless of which direction one votes. As soon as fear and suspicion start to undermine this, e.g. in the name of "liberty and freedom", you'll ironically find freedoms and liberties start to disappear.

Edited October 19, 2020 by Katipo

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

7 hours ago, daveAustin said:

I agree. She's just another wishy washy, everything's awesome leftie. Easy to claim success when you're in the middle of the Pacific. Only a monkey could screw things up there on covid. They have not had any exposure and will have to remain closed for the duration or hope someone develops a vaccine before they can rejoin the human race.

Correction:  Only a monkey and Hawaiian politicians could screw things up in the middle of the Pacific.

[GroveHillWanderer]

"I agree. She's just another wishy washy, everything's awesome leftie. Easy to claim success when you're in the middle of the Pacific. Only a monkey could screw things up there on covid. They have not had any exposure and will have to remain closed for the duration or hope someone develops a vaccine before they can rejoin the human race."

 

It doesn't require any great level of optimism to expect that a vaccine will be available before long. Pfizer are due to file for approval of their vaccine by late November. Moderna and Astra Zeneca are probably not far behind.

 

Pfizer to file for vaccine approval late November at earliest

 

Then there are the other 200 or so candidate vaccines already in various stages of development, including 8 in phase 3 trials already (last time I checked). I'd be surprised if there isn't at least one vaccine approved and licensed by the middle of 2021.

Edited October 19, 2020 by GroveHillWanderer

[Deerculler]

23 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'd say it was more that National had been a shambles since they back stabbed Simon, and has been pathetic at standing up for farmers etc. A party that abandons its base is in trouble at the polls.

Seems from the conversations on talkback, many were going to support labour to get a majority so they could govern without the greens. If labour invites the greens into a coalition without Winston to stop the OTT green agenda, NZ is in trouble IMO.

Simon always came across as wimp. 

Edited October 19, 2020 by Deerculler
Wrong words

[Bluetongue]

The first of the larger post Covid elections. No surprise whatsoever. She would not have lost her glued on labour supporters and would have picked up quite a few percent from the fear factor. She does present very well and I think is probably a very nice person. Too nice, possibly. When you run a country you can afford to be publically nice but you have to be ruthless in managing the public service. If you dont they will be useless, clueless and bludge as much as they can and not do anything which is probably what has happened. Your own incompetent colleagues can also be a problem. I hope they have a good year, the Kiwi's in their bubble waiting for the vaccine. She appeared indecisive even to try and get a travel thing happening with Samoa (no cases) to get the labour required to pick their fruit and veg, so they will be paying a fortune at the checkout for that. A lot of them seem keen to get over to Australia and do the work that Aussie bogans wont do, they are starting to allow that now, without quarantine.

[DrTuner]

Left leaning government - better learn to love taxes.

[RickBradford]

7 hours ago, GroveHillWanderer said:

I'd be surprised if there isn't at least one vaccine approved and licensed by the middle of 2021.

That's a fair assumption, even though there has never previously been a successful vaccine for a coronavirus.

 

By that time, the airline, tourist and hospitality industries will be dead and buried worldwide.

 

Also, previous vaccines for other respiratory viruses have proved to be only about 50% effective and fairly short-lived. Which still poses a problem for Covid-purity governments, since outbreaks will continue indefinitely, just as the common cold (another coronavirus illness) does.

 

So a vaccine essentially solves nothing; governments still have to admit that this virus is never going away.

 

 

[placeholder]

44 minutes ago, RickBradford said:

That's a fair assumption, even though there has never previously been a successful vaccine for a coronavirus.

 

By that time, the airline, tourist and hospitality industries will be dead and buried worldwide.

 

Also, previous vaccines for other respiratory viruses have proved to be only about 50% effective and fairly short-lived. Which still poses a problem for Covid-purity governments, since outbreaks will continue indefinitely, just as the common cold (another coronavirus illness) does.

 

So a vaccine essentially solves nothing; governments still have to admit that this virus is never going away.

Scientists were close to a coronavirus vaccine years ago. Then the money dried up.
Dr. Peter Hotez says he made the pitch to anyone who would listen. After years of research, his team of scientists in Texas had helped develop a vaccine to protect against a deadly strain of coronavirus. Now they needed money to begin testing it in humans.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/scientists-were-close-coronavirus-vaccine-years-ago-then-money-dried-n1150091

[RickBradford]

4 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Scientists were close to a coronavirus vaccine years ago. Then the money dried up.
Dr. Peter Hotez says he made the pitch to anyone who would listen. After years of research, his team of scientists in Texas had helped develop a vaccine to protect against a deadly strain of coronavirus. Now they needed money to begin testing it in humans.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/scientists-were-close-coronavirus-vaccine-years-ago-then-money-dried-n1150091

So this scientist believes he has a vaccine, though it has never been tested in humans to see if it is a) safe and b) effective, criteria which rule out many potential vaccines.

 

Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but it certainly doesn't meet my criterion of a "successful vaccine".

[placeholder]

1 minute ago, RickBradford said:

So this scientist believes he has a vaccine, though it has never been tested in humans to see if it is a) safe and b) effective, criteria which rule out many potential vaccines.

 

Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, but it certainly doesn't meet my criterion of a "successful vaccine".

But it also  doesn't certainly mean "So a vaccine essentially solves nothing; governments still have to admit that this virus is never going away."

[RickBradford]

18 minutes ago, placeholder said:

But it also  doesn't certainly mean "So a vaccine essentially solves nothing; governments still have to admit that this virus is never going away."

It means exactly that; until there is a proven, tested, safe, 100% effective, long-lasting vaccine - something that has never been achieved before with a coronavirus - then governments are going to have to come to terms, sooner or later, with the fact that this virus cannot be eliminated and that we have to learn to live with it. 

 

The sooner they can bring themselves to admit that, the better.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, RickBradford said:

It means exactly that; until there is a proven, tested, safe, 100% effective, long-lasting vaccine - something that has never been achieved before with a coronavirus - then governments are going to have to come to terms, sooner or later, with the fact that this virus cannot be eliminated and that we have to learn to live with it. 

 

The sooner they can bring themselves to admit that, the better.

No!

That's absurd. 

It's not nearly that black and white.

There is no such thing as a 100 percent effective and safe vaccine.

Even a 50 percent effective vaccine that is shown to be "very" safe would be helpful and if that's the best they can do, that's what we'll have.

It will probably be better than 50 percent, more like something like 70 percent.

A safe 70 percent effective vaccine widely given would over time greatly control the spread of this virus.

If you're talking about perfect solutions that are guaranteed to permanently wipe out the virus, no, we won't have that. So What? Attaining a high degree of control will indeed allow the world to live with this as just another "normal" threat to public health short of a pandemic.

[placeholder]

7 minutes ago, RickBradford said:

It means exactly that; until there is a proven, tested, safe, 100% effective, long-lasting vaccine - something that has never been achieved before with a coronavirus - then governments are going to have to come to terms, sooner or later, with the fact that this virus cannot be eliminated and that we have to learn to live with it. 

 

The sooner they can bring themselves to admit that, the better.

You don't need a 100% effective vaccine to have a profound effect on transmission. Not even the measles vaccine is 100% effective and it has a much higher R0 number than does Covid.

Edited October 19, 2020 by placeholder

[RickBradford]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

If you're talking about perfect solutions that are guaranteed to permanently wipe out the virus, no, we won't have that. So What? Attaining a high degree of control will indeed allow the world to live with this as just another "normal" threat to public health short of a pandemic.

Quite so.

 

But no government has shown willingness to accept merely "a high degree of control" or that this is just another "normal" threat to public health. NZ is a prime example of a government which believes it can "eliminate" this virus, which is absurd.

 

Governments worldwide have terrified their citizens over this virus as though it were a new plague, and have painted themselves into a corner as a result. Turning that round, and asking citizens to regard this as just another "normal" threat is going to take a lot of doing, and a lot of time.

Edited October 19, 2020 by RickBradford

[placeholder]

3 minutes ago, RickBradford said:

Quite so.

 

But no government has shown willingness to accept merely "a high degree of control" or that this is just another "normal" threat to public health. NZ is a prime example of a government which believes it can "eliminate" this virus, which is absurd.

 

Governments worldwide have terrified their citizens over this virus as though it were a new plague, and have painted themselves into a corner as a result. Turning that round, and asking citizens to regard this as just another "normal" threat is going to take a lot of doing, and a lot of time.

The NZ government does not believe it can "eliminate" the virus over the long term. As new treatments come on line such as monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, as well as other treatment modalities, it can be subdued into posing an acceptable level of risk. But we know from the experience of Texas, Arizona, Florida, and California, that eliminating safeguards too soon means hospitals get overrun with seriously ill people.