World reaction and calling a spade and fucking spade
So most of the reaction has made mention of John Key's time as an investment banker and that there was a mood for change, but unlike the USA we were changing from a progressive to a conservative government. This however in the Melbourne Herald Sun is pretty good IMO, highlights include 'New Zealanders have voted for change - a leap from Left to Right - with all the enthusiasm and reasoning power of a doped slug.' and 'Bring Barack Obama to mind -- strip him of charisma and vision, then douse him in White King (a brand of bleach) -- and you've got NZ's new PM.'
Sums up how a lot of us on the centre-left are feeling, change for changes sake is not a good response to current conditions, hoping that the new government will be more centre than right, but not going to be shocked if it is not. I really don't want to have to say I told you so, and given 40% of the 'poor' in NZ Herald analysis of who voted what voted for National, there would be a lot of people to say it to!
ill Singer
November 10, 2008 12:00am
NEW Zealanders have voted for change - a leap from Left to Right - with all the enthusiasm and reasoning power of a doped slug.
As the rest of the world struggles with the excesses of capitalism and free-market worship, our dearly beloved neighbours suddenly think a former investment banker can make them ruch, as well as thuck.
Think of the dazzling US election - then think of its antithesis, and you have the Kiwis' "defining moment".
You might not have noticed their election campaign, let alone Saturday's "historic" and "fascinating" (as claimed by Sky News) election.
Don't feel guilty -- it resembled a domestic squabble over whose turn it was to put out the garbage, only without the heat and sense of urgency.
New National Party PM John Key managed to oust Labour's Helen Clark without offering any major policy differences.
Come his victory speech though, and the inevitable conservative patois heated up - John Key had been a poor little boy who became very, very rich all on his own as an individual.
As John Key beamed with unbridled self-satisfaction, and thanked those who voted for him, his wife and two children were left to shuffle nervously at the back of the stage like shags on a rock; his young son endearingly clad in shorts and runners, his daughter the image of a teenager on the verge of rebellion.
No doubt this self-important squillionaire eventually remembered them, but it was well after TV broadcasts had exhausted any manufactured interest in the smug one's lacklustre vision for NZ's future.
Bring Barack Obama to mind -- strip him of charisma and vision, then douse him in White King -- and you've got NZ's new PM.
This wasn't about desperately needed change, as in the US, but change for change's sake.
New Zealanders just got bored.
Instead of doing the sensible thing about it, like reading a good book or moving to Australia (which 11 per cent of Kiwis have already done) they decided to turn out in their tens and vote for a new government.
The leader of the NZ Maori Party had a stab at analysing his country's collective thinking by suggesting the nice weather (mild and dry with a light breeze) got people off their sofas and into voting booths.
Apparently it rained last election and so they "just stayed home and swutched chunnels on their tullys".
Such passion.
Outgoing PM Helen Clark warns that NZ could now "go up in flames in a bonfire ignited by the Right wing of politics".
Her concern is justified. The global financial crisis is yet to swamp New Zealand, but a hard rain is surely coming.
When it does, New Zealanders will be demanding more, rather than less, government intervention in their vulnerable economy.
They might well come to miss Helen Clark, the woman who gave them nine years of relative economic and social stability (steady growth and improved family benefits), and who made her small nation's voice heard (no to invading Iraq, yes to tackling climate change) on the international stage.
I might be proved wrong. I hope I am.
Sums up how a lot of us on the centre-left are feeling, change for changes sake is not a good response to current conditions, hoping that the new government will be more centre than right, but not going to be shocked if it is not. I really don't want to have to say I told you so, and given 40% of the 'poor' in NZ Herald analysis of who voted what voted for National, there would be a lot of people to say it to!
ill Singer
November 10, 2008 12:00am
NEW Zealanders have voted for change - a leap from Left to Right - with all the enthusiasm and reasoning power of a doped slug.
As the rest of the world struggles with the excesses of capitalism and free-market worship, our dearly beloved neighbours suddenly think a former investment banker can make them ruch, as well as thuck.
Think of the dazzling US election - then think of its antithesis, and you have the Kiwis' "defining moment".
You might not have noticed their election campaign, let alone Saturday's "historic" and "fascinating" (as claimed by Sky News) election.
Don't feel guilty -- it resembled a domestic squabble over whose turn it was to put out the garbage, only without the heat and sense of urgency.
New National Party PM John Key managed to oust Labour's Helen Clark without offering any major policy differences.
Come his victory speech though, and the inevitable conservative patois heated up - John Key had been a poor little boy who became very, very rich all on his own as an individual.
As John Key beamed with unbridled self-satisfaction, and thanked those who voted for him, his wife and two children were left to shuffle nervously at the back of the stage like shags on a rock; his young son endearingly clad in shorts and runners, his daughter the image of a teenager on the verge of rebellion.
No doubt this self-important squillionaire eventually remembered them, but it was well after TV broadcasts had exhausted any manufactured interest in the smug one's lacklustre vision for NZ's future.
Bring Barack Obama to mind -- strip him of charisma and vision, then douse him in White King -- and you've got NZ's new PM.
This wasn't about desperately needed change, as in the US, but change for change's sake.
New Zealanders just got bored.
Instead of doing the sensible thing about it, like reading a good book or moving to Australia (which 11 per cent of Kiwis have already done) they decided to turn out in their tens and vote for a new government.
The leader of the NZ Maori Party had a stab at analysing his country's collective thinking by suggesting the nice weather (mild and dry with a light breeze) got people off their sofas and into voting booths.
Apparently it rained last election and so they "just stayed home and swutched chunnels on their tullys".
Such passion.
Outgoing PM Helen Clark warns that NZ could now "go up in flames in a bonfire ignited by the Right wing of politics".
Her concern is justified. The global financial crisis is yet to swamp New Zealand, but a hard rain is surely coming.
When it does, New Zealanders will be demanding more, rather than less, government intervention in their vulnerable economy.
They might well come to miss Helen Clark, the woman who gave them nine years of relative economic and social stability (steady growth and improved family benefits), and who made her small nation's voice heard (no to invading Iraq, yes to tackling climate change) on the international stage.
I might be proved wrong. I hope I am.