This Month
- Opinion
- Federal election
Poilievre and Dutton are taking a stand for pragmatic working-class conservatism
Both opposition leaders in Canada and Australia have little concern for the progressive agendas and opinions of affluent elites.
- Matthew Doman
- Analysis
- World politics
What Justin Trudeau’s exit means for progressive politics
Canada’s prime minister is only the latest left-of-centre political leader to leave office in a fog of disillusion and domestic discontent.
- James Curran
- Analysis
- Foreign relations
Albanese rejects Trudeau comparison over cost-of-living pain
Anthony Albanese suggests Canada’s outgoing PM Justin Trudeau wore out his welcome with voters when asked about the demise of the fellow political progressive.
- Andrew Tillett
August 2024
- Opinion
- US election
Kamala-mania is an American rerun of Jacinda-mania
The hard reset of the 2024 race and irrational exuberance for the new Democrat nominee has a 2017 precedent in New Zealand.
- Henry Thomson
May 2024
Labor revamps deportation directive to stem visa crisis
The controversial Direction 99 will be rewritten to ensure legal authorities “give weight to community safety” when hearing appeals against visa cancellations.
- Phillip Coorey and Andrew Tillett
November 2023
Incoming NZ coalition targets central bank reform
Chris Luxon’s Nationals sign an agreement to form “historic” three-party coalition government, whose priorities are tax cuts and new central bank mandate.
- Tracy Withers
New Zealand’s PM needs maverick Peters to govern
Winston Peters has emerged kingmaker in the NZ election, after final results show the National Party failed to win enough seats to form government without support.
- Matthew Brockett
October 2023
- Analysis
- NZ election
NZ Labour’s rout a warning for Australia
Labour haemorrhaged votes to the left and right. It was punished by voters who believed it had spent years in government focusing on side issues.
- Tom Rabe
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Ardernism’s defeat shifts the political centre of gravity across the Tasman
The seismic upheaval in New Zealand that has paved the way for a National-led coalition follows a voter reaction against Labour’s progressive agenda.
- The AFR View
New PM Luxon wants ‘right chemistry’ in NZ coalition
Chris Luxon’s National party failed to win a majority after turfing Labour from office at Saturday’s election, and must work with minor parties to form government.
- Ben McKay
- Analysis
- World elections
Winston Peters, New Zealand’s political comeback kid, does it again
Not only has Mr Peters resurrected New Zealand First’s fortunes after it was ousted from parliament at the 2020 election, the party may also be part of the next government.
- Ainsley Thomson
- Opinion
- NZ election
Why voters ran out of patience with New Zealand’s progressive government
Six years after ‘Jacindamania’ swept New Zealand, its Labour government, hampered by the pandemic and natural disasters, ran out of time to deliver much of the progressive reform it promised.
- Tom Rabe
Luxon vows back-to-basics government as he begins coalition talks
The PM-elect vowed to deliver on his promise of tax cuts for working New Zealanders, but will need to compromise with coalition partners on other policies.
- Tom Rabe
- Updated
- World elections
‘New Zealanders have chosen change.’ Luxon is new Prime Minister
With almost 95 per cent of votes counted on Saturday night, the centre-right National Party was poised to form a coalition government after winning close to 40 per cent of the primary party vote.
- Updated
- Tom Rabe
Hipkins hopes for ‘Keating-style’ win at NZ election
Seven years after Jacinda Ardern and her progressive brand swept to power in New Zealand, frustration over the cost of living could boot Labour from office.
- Tom Rabe
July 2023
- Opinion
- China relations
Time for Australia-New Zealand relationship to move beyond cliches
Anthony Albanese and Chris Hipkins now have the opportunity to move the relationship beyond slouch-hatted incantations to the Anzac spirit and tired calls of “family” to a new era of mutual relevance.
- Updated
- James Curran
June 2023
China rolls out the red carpet for NZ prime minister
The bilateral with the Chinese leader is the centrepiece of Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ five-day trade mission to China this week.
- Updated
- Michael Smith
May 2023
Slowing growth, disasters squeeze NZ finances
Billed as ‘support for today, building for tomorrow’, the plan aims to address the squeeze on households’ day-to-day costs and fund a big infrastructure deficit.
- Updated
- Vernon Small
The surprisingly powerful phrase all leaders should be prepared to say
Saying “I don’t know” is the first step towards solving a problem and helps bosses build trust with their team.
- Euan Black
April 2023
Ardern exits politics with call for more female leaders
Lauded globally for her empathy, Jacinda Ardern’s resignation in January came as a shock. But she had increasingly become a divisive figure at home.
- Ainsley Thomson