New Zealand election 2017: Jacinda Ardern to be Prime Minister

FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop has hit back at claims it would be awkward for her to work with Jacinda Ardern after the citizenship saga.

NZ Labour leader Jacinda Ardern and PM Bill English

AUSTRALIAN Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has rubbished claims it would be awkward for her to work with New Zealand’s new Labour leader after the citizenship saga involving Barnaby Joyce.

Jacinda Ardern was declared Labour Prime Minister elect on Thursday following lengthy negotiations to form a coalition with New Zealand First.

The news led to speculation it could prove an awkward first encounter for Bishop, after she said earlier this year it would be “very hard to build trust with those involved in allegations designed to undermine the Government of Australia”.

Her comments referred to news NZ Labour MP Chris Hipkins had been involved in revealing that Australia’s deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was a New Zealander by descent.

At the time, Ardern denied knowing about the incident but said she spoke with Hipkins about it. She also said Bishop’s comments were “highly regrettable” and she had registered her disappointment with the Australian High Commissioner.

On Thursday Bishop hit out at those who claimed she must regret her comments given the change of government.

“Rubbish. Read what I actually said. I agree entirely with Ms Ardern’s admonishment of her colleague — that his conduct was ‘unacceptable’” she tweeted.

“Why not refer to what I actually said? I agree with Ms Ardern her colleague’s conduct was ‘wrong, unacceptable, should never have happened’.”

Rubbish. Read what I actually said. I agree entirely with Ms Ardern's admonishment of her colleague -that his conduct was ' unacceptable' https://t.co/AB3lzNM3NS

— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) October 19, 2017

Also rubbish. Read what I said.
I agree entirely with Ms Ardern's admonishment of her colleague that what he did 'should not have happened' https://t.co/VJOHbw2D4R

— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) October 19, 2017

She said: “We have a very strong and deep relationship with New Zealand and I’m looking forward to working with the new Government.”

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull shared his congratulations online, tweeting: “Congratulations @jacindaardern good to talk with you tonight. Look fwd to seeing you soon & building on our two nations’ great partnership.”

Jacinda Ardern. Picture: AP/Photo/Nick Perry.

Earlier, Ardern was declared Prime Minister after winning the support of a minor party to claim a majority in parliament.

Veteran MP Winston Peters, the leader of New Zealand First, announced he would back Labour live in a long-awaited television announcement on Thursday afternoon.

The support of his nine MP’s will give Ms Ardern the numbers in the House of Representatives to form a government. The Greens are expected to also offer confidence and supply, which would give Ms Ardern a 63-seat majority in New Zealand’s 120-seat parliament.

The 37-year-old will be New Zealand’s youngest Prime Minister and its third female leader. She was only elected Labour leader on August 1 after a series of polls indicated the party would be defeated in a landslide.

Ms Ardern learnt of her success the same time as other Kiwis — as the dramatic announcement was made on live television.

She told media she was “honoured, privileged and humbled” to become Prime Minister.

“The negotiations have been courteous, constructive and robust. Throughout, we have focused on our shared values and the policies that can take New Zealand forward,” she said.

“We are both committed to forming a strong and durable government that can deal with the many challenges this country faces.

“The Green Party is now undertaking its internal approval process before we confirm final arrangements to form a Labour-led progressive Government. This too has been an excellent process, which I thank James Shaw and his team for.”

Regarding Mr English she said: “I thank Bill English and acknowledge the service he has given to this country as Prime Minister, and for a hard fought campaign. We both share a commitment to making New Zealand a better place and Bill has left his mark.”

She told media she expected to be sworn in as Prime Minister next week. The agreements with NZ First and The Greens would be made public within days.

When asked about the Julie Bishop citizenship drama, Ms Ardern said she is looking forward to travelling to Australia “as soon as I am able”.

Mr Peters said agreeing to support the governing National party — led by Bill English — would have meant a “modified status quo”, versus “change” with Labour.

He said it was the “decision of the New Zealand people”.

New Zealand Prime Minister-elect Jacinda Ardern

National Party leader Bill English.

“The majority of people did what say, and we responded to that,” he said.

Mr Peters said Ms Ardern showed huge talent on the campaign trail.

The decision will come as a shock to National, which holds two more seats than the Labour-Green bloc in Parliament and ends its hope of leading New Zealand for a fourth term.

The National party won 56 seats at the September 23 election, short of the 61 required to form government. Today’s announcement means it will be the first time a party will lead a government that didn’t get the highest number of seats.

Two of its previous support partners, United Future and the Maori Party, did not win seats meaning Mr English had to approach NZ First — a party he and previous National PM John Key had shunned in recent years.

Mr Peters said the Greens had a confidence and supply agreement with Labour — suggesting they would be outside the Government — while NZ First would roles inside Cabinet.

NZ First made the decision based on how to best mitigate, not worsen, what New Zealand is expected to face in the coming years, Mr Peters said. He said the major policies secured in the negotiations would best serve New Zealand’s economic and social condition.

“Big or small, all of these policies are important,” he said. “It is not my privilege or responsibility to summarise and announce them today, that will befall someone else.”

Jacinda Ardern and Mr English at a leaders debate during the election campaign.

More to come.

— with AAP.