Poor personal and party polling early in the government’s term puts the spotlight on Christopher Luxon’s leadership. He has the power bases, but can he mobilise them effectively – and in time?
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Articles sur Christopher Luxon
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With voter confidence already low, the National-led coalition will have difficulty fulfilling pre-election promises while delivering a prudent budget in May.
The coalition has made good on pledges to repeal, reduce or reverse the previous government’s policies. But the real test will be paying for its own policies and staying stable in the process.
The local and international track record of social investment funds and social impact bonds is far from convincing. A better-resourced public sector would be a simpler solution.
The country’s first formal three-party coalition will test Christopher Luxon’s promise of ‘strong and stable’ government – and the minor parties’ patience if things don’t go their way.
Working for Families tax credits favour those in work, yet discourage them from working or earning more. But there is a cost-effective way to improve the system for those on welfare and low incomes.
The landscape on the right of New Zealand politics is changing. If Christopher Luxon leads National to victory, his first test will be dealing with several potentially difficult coalition partners.
The National Party’s transport policy risks locking the country into a car-dependent, high-carbon future.
Concern over bilingual road signs in New Zealand is as much political as it is about safety – but the international evidence suggests there’s little to worry about.
The National Party’s new curriculum policy proposes reforms, when there are already several underway. What schools and teachers really need is more funding and less change.
The cost of living is important. But there are even bigger problems rumbling beneath the surface of New Zealand politics that the MMP electoral system may be ill-suited to deal with.
An outbreak of ‘Chris-mania’ seems unlikely, but maybe taking personality and heat out of the mix will benefit Labour in election year.
The 2023 general election is already shaping up as an MMP classic. Add the All Blacks’ World Cup fortunes to the mix and the only thing to expect is the unexpected.
Far-right populism has been on the rise globally. Is New Zealand really immune, or should National Party leader Christopher Luxon be more unequivocal about working with the likes of Brian Tamaki?
Opposition Leader Christopher Luxon’s response shows he is willing to set aside personal values for what is politically expedient, choosing pragmatism over idealism.
As the government approaches the mid-term mark, is the protest in parliament grounds a PR boost for Jacinda Ardern or a sign of declining political consensus?
The National Party’s internal tensions have played out in a succession of leadership changes. Would the political right be better off formally divided, as it once was?
Once a broad political church, the National Party has become a house divided against itself. New leader Christopher Luxon faces huge challenges uniting both the party and its wider congregation.
Les contributeurs les plus fréquents
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Professor of Politics, Massey University
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Visiting Scholar in Politics, City, University of London
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Senior Lecturer, School of Management, Massey University
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Director, Wilf Malcolm Institute of Educational Research, University of Waikato
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Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Honorary Associate Professor, Economic Policy Centre, Auckland Business School, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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Associate Professor in Human Geography, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
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PhD Student, University of Otago
