PM set to win New Zealand vote despite ‘dirty tricks’

Published September 19, 2014
PRIME Minister John Key (left), Labour Party leader David Cunliffe (second left), New Zealand First Party leader Winston Peters (second right) and Internet Party founder Kim Dotcom.—AFP
PRIME Minister John Key (left), Labour Party leader David Cunliffe (second left), New Zealand First Party leader Winston Peters (second right) and Internet Party founder Kim Dotcom.—AFP

WELLINGTON: New Zealanders head to the polls on Saturday amid signs Prime Minister John Key has managed to ride out dirty tricks allegations and will narrowly win a third term after highlighting his economic record.

While New Zealand’s complicated proportional voting system is notoriously hard to predict, most opinion polls have Key’s centre-right National Party returning to power with the support of a handful of minor parties to form government.

The main opposition Labour Party along with the Greens stand as their closest rivals — with Winston Peters, the leader of the minor New Zealand First party, shaping up to become kingmaker if the election night count is too close to call.

Much of National’s success through a tumultuous campaign is credited to the personal popularity of the charismatic Key, a 53-year-old who rose from a humble childhood to earn his fortune as a merchant banker.

Policies have largely taken a backseat in the campaign to allegations of government “dirty tricks”, based on hacked emails, and accusations of mass spying on the population. Throughout the furore, in which one cabinet minister resigned, Key steadfastly refuted any suggestions of wrong-doing.

He demanded his accusers show proof, which has not been provided, and pointed to his government’s economic record, producing the country’s first budget surplus in six years.

His personal popularity, polling around 50 per cent in the preferred leader stakes, has been central to the National Party’s “Team Key” campaign and to surviving the onslaught with little drop-off in public support.

“The whole campaign has revolved around security issues and hackers. It hasn’t really revolved around policies,” said professor emeritus of politics at Auckland University, Barry Gustafson.

“People tended to say ‘do we believe the prime minister or not’ and he had a good reservoir of goodwill and popularity before it started.

“My guess is the National Party ... will get it.” Political analyst Colin James, who has correctly predicted which party would head the New Zealand government in 14 of the past 15 elections, also said the pointers were for a third term for Key.

“The same two underlying drivers apply in this election as in other recent ones: household finances ... and personality [where] Key wins hands down,” he said.

“For a wide swathe of middling households finances have lifted over the past two years, with modest job and income growth. That is reflected in strong poll readings of consumer confidence and whether the country is on the right or wrong track.”

Labour Party leader David Cunliffe, a former diplomat and business consultant, has languished around 10 per cent as preferred leader. His party support in a poll released three days ahead of the election was at 25.6 per cent.

He already has the support of the Greens, and if he can win the backing of New Zealand First he would be on the verge of establishing a centre-left coalition. However he would also need the support of the Internet-Mana party, backed by colourful Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom, to get across the line.

Cunliffe has previously ruled out working with Dotcom, who is fighting extradition to the United States, where he is wanted on internet piracy charges.

The German-born entrepreneur had promised a “bombshell” earlier in the week aimed at damaging Key’s credibility.

He produced, via satellite link, fugitive whistle-blowers Edward Snowden and Julian Assange, who claimed New Zealand’s intelligence service was involved in mass surveillance but did not produce concrete evidence.

“Having had so much thrown at him, and been confronted by so many adversaries, it seems just as possible that Key will be carried back into power by the force of the backlash — not against him, but against those lined up against him,” said Fairfax Media’s political editor Tracy Watkins.—AFP

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...