New Zealanders, on Saturday (Oct 14), voted for a change placing conservative former businessman Christopher Luxon in the position to be the next prime minister of the country.

Incumbent Prime Minister and Labour leader Chris Hipkins conceded his defeat and said that his party's six years in power were over.

Hipkins, who replaced two-term leader Jacinda Ardern in January 2023, released a statement saying that he was "not in a position to form a government".

"The result tonight is not one that any of us wanted, but I want you to be proud of what we achieved over the last six years," Hipkins told Labour supporters in Wellington.

The National Party and its coalition partner ACT were projected to win 62 seats with 85 per cent of the vote tallied, which was sufficient to secure a majority in New Zealand's 120-seat parliament.

Luxon, a former airline executive, said New Zealanders had "reached for hope and voted for change".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-poised-to-reject-indigenous-voice-referendum-to-amend-122-year-old-constitution-646721">Australia rejects indigenous voice referendum seeking to amend 122-year-old constitution</a>

The election campaign was predominantly around New Zealand's soaring economic crisis and an increase in the cost of living.

"My pledge to you is that National will deliver for every New Zealander," Luxon said, promising to "build the economy and deliver tax relief".

"We will bring down the cost of living. We will restore law and order. We will deliver better health care and we will educate our children so that they can grow up to live the lives they dream of."

Luxon and Hipkins, during their election campaign, tried to woo voters by promising to reduce rising petrol prices, improve the issue of housing shortage and limit the growing prices of staple foods.

The Labour Party, which won under Ardern in 2020, was on its way to suffering one of its gravest election defeats with forecasts pointing to 34 seats.

"Following on from my good friend Jacinda, it was not going to be an easy task," Hipkins admitted.

"I did know when I took on this job that it was going to be an uphill battle."

(With inputs from agencies)

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New Zealanders, on Saturday (Oct 14), voted for a change placing conservative former businessman Christopher Luxon in the position to be the next prime minister of the country.

New Zealanders, on Saturday (Oct 14), voted for a change placing conservative former businessman Christopher Luxon in the position to be the next prime minister of the country. Incumbent Prime Minister and Labour leader Chris Hipkins conceded his defeat and said that his party's six years in power were over. Hipkins, who replaced two-term leader Jacinda Ardern in January 2023, released a statement saying that he was "not in a position to form a government". "The result tonight is not one that any of us wanted, but I want you to be proud of what we achieved over the last six years," Hipkins told Labour supporters in Wellington. The National Party and its coalition partner ACT were projected to win 62 seats with 85 per cent of the vote tallied, which was sufficient to secure a majority in New Zealand's 120-seat parliament. Luxon, a former airline executive, said New Zealanders had "reached for hope and voted for change". Also read: Australia rejects indigenous voice referendum seeking to amend 122-year-old constitution The election campaign was predominantly around New Zealand's soaring economic crisis and an increase in the cost of living. "My pledge to you is that National will deliver for every New Zealander," Luxon said, promising to "build the economy and deliver tax relief". "We will bring down the cost of living. We will restore law and order. We will deliver better health care and we will educate our children so that they can grow up to live the lives they dream of." Luxon and Hipkins, during their election campaign, tried to woo voters by promising to reduce rising petrol prices, improve the issue of housing shortage and limit the growing prices of staple foods. The Labour Party, which won under Ardern in 2020, was on its way to suffering one of its gravest election defeats with forecasts pointing to 34 seats. "Following on from my good friend Jacinda, it was not going to be an easy task," Hipkins admitted. "I did know when I took on this job that it was going to be an uphill battle." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

New Zealand: Christopher Luxon claims election victory after incumbent PM Chris Hipkins concedes defeat

Two crucial polls opened in the Oceania region on Saturday (October 14) in which Australians began voting on a referendum for Indigenous rights while the New Zealanders started stamping their ballots in the country's general elections.

<h2>Australia's Indigenous referendum</h2>

Deemed "historic", the referendum on rights and recognition for Indigenous citizens, will result in almost 18 million Australians casting their ballots for or against constitutional changes to acknowledge Indigenous peoples for the first time and create an advisory body -- a so-called &nbsp;"Voice" -- to weigh laws that affect those communities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-australias-historic-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-proposal-why-it-might-get-rejected-646071">Explained | What is Australia’s historic Indigenous Voice to parliament proposal? Why it might get rejected?</a>

Opinion polls showed limited optimism for these reforms, with recent surveys indicating that the "yes" camp has support slightly above 40 per cent, while the "no" side approaches 60 per cent.

Australia's Indigenous population, with a heritage spanning over 60,000 years on the continent, comprises just 3.8 per cent of the total population.

However, the indigenous people have experienced persistent inequality since white settlement more than two centuries ago.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders face higher rates of illness, imprisonment, and premature mortality compared to their more affluent white compatriots.

Advocates argue that these reforms are necessary to address these disparities.&nbsp;

<h2>Elections in New Zealand</h2>

Meanwhile, New Zealand's general election started on Saturday, where Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is seeking a third term for his center-left Labour party.

Hipkins assumed leadership in January, succeeding the popular&nbsp;Jacinda Ardern.

His Labour party is competing against the opposition, led by Christopher Luxon and the conservative National Party.

Also watch |&nbsp;New Zealand PM Chris Hipkins: No risk to national security

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The country maintains strict election-day laws governing media reporting and political campaigning to prevent undue influence on voters.

Exit polls are not allowed, leaving the electorate to await early results after polling stations close. Approximately 3.5 million people are registered to vote, with around 1.2 million having already cast their ballots.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two crucial polls opened in the Oceania region on Saturday (October 14) in which Australians began voting on a referendum for Indigenous rights while the New Zealanders started stamping their ballots in the country's general elections.

Two crucial polls opened in the Oceania region on Saturday (October 14) in which Australians began voting on a referendum for Indigenous rights while the New Zealanders started stamping their ballots in the country's general elections. Australia's Indigenous referendum Deemed "historic", the referendum on rights and recognition for Indigenous citizens, will result in almost 18 million Australians casting their ballots for or against constitutional changes to acknowledge Indigenous peoples for the first time and create an advisory body -- a so-called "Voice" -- to weigh laws that affect those communities. Also read | Explained | What is Australia’s historic Indigenous Voice to parliament proposal? Why it might get rejected? Opinion polls showed limited optimism for these reforms, with recent surveys indicating that the "yes" camp has support slightly above 40 per cent, while the "no" side approaches 60 per cent. Australia's Indigenous population, with a heritage spanning over 60,000 years on the continent, comprises just 3.8 per cent of the total population. However, the indigenous people have experienced persistent inequality since white settlement more than two centuries ago. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders face higher rates of illness, imprisonment, and premature mortality compared to their more affluent white compatriots. Advocates argue that these reforms are necessary to address these disparities. Elections in New Zealand Meanwhile, New Zealand's general election started on Saturday, where Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is seeking a third term for his center-left Labour party. Hipkins assumed leadership in January, succeeding the popular Jacinda Ardern. His Labour party is competing against the opposition, led by Christopher Luxon and the conservative National Party. Also watch | New Zealand PM Chris Hipkins: No risk to national security × The country maintains strict election-day laws governing media reporting and political campaigning to prevent undue influence on voters. Exit polls are not allowed, leaving the electorate to await early results after polling stations close. Approximately 3.5 million people are registered to vote, with around 1.2 million having already cast their ballots. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Polls open in Australia's Indigenous rights referendum, New Zealand elections

Just days ahead of the general elections, Facebook announced it was shutting down Advance New Zealand party's page over allegedly spreading misinformation about coronavirus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-fumes-as-facebook-twitter-limit-reach-of-smoking-gun-article-on-biden-and-his-son-335344">Also Read:&nbsp;Trump fumes as Facebook, Twitter limit reach of 'smoking gun' article on Biden and his son</a>

Billy Te Kahika co-leader of Advance New Zealand said that Facebook have now officially interfered with the New Zealand 2020 elections.

However, Facebook said it will enforce the ban "regardless of anyone's political position or party affiliation". 
&nbsp; 
"We removed Advance New Zealand/New Zealand Public Party's Facebook Page for repeated violations" of misinformation policies," the social media giant said.

The elections in the country is due to take place on October 17 with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern widely expected to win a second term. Opinion polls suggest Ardern's party may get the numbers to govern alone, however, the elections could show some surprises.

In order to get any seat in Parliament, a party must win at least 5% of the party vote, or win an electorate seat.

Ardern's Labour party has been fighting the coronavirus pandemic as the country removed all coronavirus restrictions last week after a second lockdown.

Kahika accused PM &nbsp;Ardern for being behind the Facebook ban.

"This is not North Korea, this is not China, but the way this government's behaving you'd think it is," Kahika said.

Just days ahead of the general elections, Facebook announced it was shutting down Advance New Zealand party's page over allegedly spreading misinformation about coronavirus.

Just days ahead of the general elections, Facebook announced it was shutting down Advance New Zealand party's page over allegedly spreading misinformation about coronavirus. Also Read: Trump fumes as Facebook, Twitter limit reach of 'smoking gun' article on Biden and his son Billy Te Kahika co-leader of Advance New Zealand said that Facebook have now officially interfered with the New Zealand 2020 elections. However, Facebook said it will enforce the ban "regardless of anyone's political position or party affiliation". "We removed Advance New Zealand/New Zealand Public Party's Facebook Page for repeated violations" of misinformation policies," the social media giant said. The elections in the country is due to take place on October 17 with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern widely expected to win a second term. Opinion polls suggest Ardern's party may get the numbers to govern alone, however, the elections could show some surprises. In order to get any seat in Parliament, a party must win at least 5% of the party vote, or win an electorate seat. Ardern's Labour party has been fighting the coronavirus pandemic as the country removed all coronavirus restrictions last week after a second lockdown. Kahika accused PM Ardern for being behind the Facebook ban. "This is not North Korea, this is not China, but the way this government's behaving you'd think it is," Kahika said.

Ahead of polls, Facebook shuts New Zealand party's page over 'misinformation'

The 2020 New Zealand general elections are slated to take place on Saturday, October 17. This will determine the leadership of the 53rd New Zealand Parliament.&nbsp;

But the country is battling a problem rampant across the globe: harassment of women. This becomes peculiar in New Zealand, where the election is being fought among two women - the incumbent Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, along with Judith Collins, her main opposition.&nbsp;

The country has come up with a new solution: an abuse-fighting bot! In a bid to tackle harassment of female candidates in the country, the bot is sending out positive messages across social media platforms in the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/new-zealand-pm-jacinda-ardern-says-we-beat-the-virus-again-332552" hreflang="en">New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern says 'we beat the virus again'</a>

Along with the two major candidates, more than 260 parliamentary candidates have become a target for sexism and harassment online.

Owing to this precarious situation, the country launched the “Parity Bot”, which was also used in Canadian elections last year. For every negative and abusive tweet against female candidates, the bot sends out a positive message.

"A whole bunch of studies out there show women candidates get exponentially more toxic tweets than men, which is why we have created this for women," Jacqueline Comer, a creative technologist for the bot, told Reuters.

"It is not to say that men don't suffer from this, but it is a bigger problem for women," she further said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/new-zealands-ardern-takes-on-housing-crisis-issue-ahead-of-early-voting-331917" hreflang="en">New Zealand's Ardern takes on housing crisis issue ahead of early voting</a>

The bot has analysed over 95,000 tweets and found over 1,800 abusive tweets, with most directed at Ardern and Collins.

The messages sent out by the bot read something like this - "great women like you running to make NZ a better place".

New Zealand was the world’s first nation to give voting rights to women in 1893.&nbsp;

The 2020 New Zealand general elections are slated to take place on Saturday, October 17. This will determine the leadership of the 53rd New Zealand Parliament. But the country is battling a problem rampant across the globe: harassment of women.

The 2020 New Zealand general elections are slated to take place on Saturday, October 17. This will determine the leadership of the 53rd New Zealand Parliament. But the country is battling a problem rampant across the globe: harassment of women. This becomes peculiar in New Zealand, where the election is being fought among two women - the incumbent Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, along with Judith Collins, her main opposition. The country has come up with a new solution: an abuse-fighting bot! In a bid to tackle harassment of female candidates in the country, the bot is sending out positive messages across social media platforms in the country. Also read: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern says 'we beat the virus again' Along with the two major candidates, more than 260 parliamentary candidates have become a target for sexism and harassment online. Owing to this precarious situation, the country launched the “Parity Bot”, which was also used in Canadian elections last year. For every negative and abusive tweet against female candidates, the bot sends out a positive message. "A whole bunch of studies out there show women candidates get exponentially more toxic tweets than men, which is why we have created this for women," Jacqueline Comer, a creative technologist for the bot, told Reuters. "It is not to say that men don't suffer from this, but it is a bigger problem for women," she further said. Also read: New Zealand's Ardern takes on housing crisis issue ahead of early voting The bot has analysed over 95,000 tweets and found over 1,800 abusive tweets, with most directed at Ardern and Collins. The messages sent out by the bot read something like this - "great women like you running to make NZ a better place". New Zealand was the world’s first nation to give voting rights to women in 1893.

Election bot deployed in New Zealand to fight online sexism

New Zealand's ruling Labour Party promised to deliver more homes and replace a 30-year-old law blamed for high housing costs and impeding urban development, as it looked to tackle a hot election issue ahead of early voting starting on Saturday.

Labour would replace the Resource Management Act (RMA), and continue its plan to deliver more than 18,000 public houses by 2024, party leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a policy announcement on Friday.

“Overly restrictive planning rules are one of the causes of high house prices," Ardern said, adding she was determined to remove unnecessary barriers to the supply of land and infrastructure for housing.

New Zealand's house prices have soared nearly 90 per cent over the past decade, analysts have said, due to an acute housing shortage of over a 100,000 homes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jacinda-ardern-admits-to-past-cannabis-use-during-new-zealand-election-debate-331661">Also read:&nbsp;Jacinda Ardern admits to past cannabis use during New Zealand election debate</a>

Successive governments have failed to ease the red tape around land approval, making land artificially scarce. For private developers the costs and consent process are significant hurdles, making properties unaffordable.

Ardern's flagship affordable housing project KiwiBuild also faltered and to date has just built about 600 homes, with nearly 1,000 under construction.

The housing crisis is creating a policy headache for Ardern as she seeks a second three-year term in the October 17 polls.

Opinion polls suggest she is on track for a comfortable win, although the opposition National Party has been clawing back support.

Early voting for the election starts on Saturday.

Ardern also said the party would support first home buyers with loans and introduce regulations for property management services.

The party said it would bring up its core recommendations in the next parliamentary term if elected.

The opposition National Party has said the state housing waiting list has risen under Ardern, and claims it has a plan to deliver cheap homes faster.

New Zealand's ruling Labour Party promised to deliver more homes and replace a 30-year-old law blamed for high housing costs and impeding urban development, as it looked to tackle a hot election issue ahead of early voting starting on Saturday.

New Zealand's ruling Labour Party promised to deliver more homes and replace a 30-year-old law blamed for high housing costs and impeding urban development, as it looked to tackle a hot election issue ahead of early voting starting on Saturday. Labour would replace the Resource Management Act (RMA), and continue its plan to deliver more than 18,000 public houses by 2024, party leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a policy announcement on Friday. “Overly restrictive planning rules are one of the causes of high house prices," Ardern said, adding she was determined to remove unnecessary barriers to the supply of land and infrastructure for housing. New Zealand's house prices have soared nearly 90 per cent over the past decade, analysts have said, due to an acute housing shortage of over a 100,000 homes. Also read: Jacinda Ardern admits to past cannabis use during New Zealand election debate Successive governments have failed to ease the red tape around land approval, making land artificially scarce. For private developers the costs and consent process are significant hurdles, making properties unaffordable. Ardern's flagship affordable housing project KiwiBuild also faltered and to date has just built about 600 homes, with nearly 1,000 under construction. The housing crisis is creating a policy headache for Ardern as she seeks a second three-year term in the October 17 polls. Opinion polls suggest she is on track for a comfortable win, although the opposition National Party has been clawing back support. Early voting for the election starts on Saturday. Ardern also said the party would support first home buyers with loans and introduce regulations for property management services. The party said it would bring up its core recommendations in the next parliamentary term if elected. The opposition National Party has said the state housing waiting list has risen under Ardern, and claims it has a plan to deliver cheap homes faster.

New Zealand's Ardern takes on housing crisis issue ahead of early voting

Campaign for general elections in New Zealand began on Sunday as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is looking forward to riding popularity for the nation's COVID-19 response and compassionate handling of a massacre at two mosques to a revived mandate.

The parliament in New Zealand was dissolved in a brief ceremony for the official start of campaigning for the elections that are set to be held on October 17.&nbsp;

Polls in Auckland were delayed for a month in August due to lockdown after cases re-emerged. Auckland constitutes nearly a third of New Zealand's population.&nbsp;

In 2017, Ardern became the world's youngest female leader. Her decisive response to the pandemic and handling of last year's shooting by a white supremacist at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand's worst mass murder will play a major role in this year's election.&nbsp;

According to recent polls, Labour Party has a strong lead over the conservative National Party.

The advanced voting will begin on October 3.&nbsp;

Campaign for general elections in New Zealand began on Sunday as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is looking forward to riding popularity for the nation's COVID-19 response and compassionate handling of a massacre at two mosques to a revived mandate.

Campaign for general elections in New Zealand began on Sunday as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is looking forward to riding popularity for the nation's COVID-19 response and compassionate handling of a massacre at two mosques to a revived mandate. The parliament in New Zealand was dissolved in a brief ceremony for the official start of campaigning for the elections that are set to be held on October 17. Polls in Auckland were delayed for a month in August due to lockdown after cases re-emerged. Auckland constitutes nearly a third of New Zealand's population. In 2017, Ardern became the world's youngest female leader. Her decisive response to the pandemic and handling of last year's shooting by a white supremacist at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand's worst mass murder will play a major role in this year's election. According to recent polls, Labour Party has a strong lead over the conservative National Party. The advanced voting will begin on October 3.

Campaign for general elections begin in New Zealand: Ardern seeks mandate

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take a call on Monday whether to go ahead with the general election on September 19, with most analysts expecting her to resist opposition calls for a delay due to a flare up in coronavirus cases in the country.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will take a call on Monday whether to go ahead with the general election on September 19, with most analysts expecting her to resist opposition calls for a delay due to a flare up in coronavirus cases in the country. A country of five million people, a long way from anywhere, New Zealand has fared far better than most countries during the pandemic, but a spate of new infections forced Ardern earlier this week to lockdown Auckland, the largest city. Seven new cases were reported on Saturday. Also read: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern puts Auckland on lockdown after four coronavirus cases detected Ardern has won praise for her decisive response to the pandemic, and opinion polls have shown her Labour Party in a winning position. Pollsters have been unable to survey voters since the latest outbreak, but analysts expected Ardern to decide to go ahead with the election next month,according to Reuters. The opposition National Party would like it delayed, they said, in the hope that Ardern loses some of her lustre once hardships caused by the lockdown begin to bite. "She is a savvy politician," said Grant Duncan, professor of politics at Massey University. "It pays for the government to have an election sooner rather than later, while the opposition wants it delayed." Forced to cancel campaign events due to restrictions on movement and crowds due to the health scare, the opposition has accused Ardern of using the pandemic to shore up support as she appears on television nearly everyday to reassure New Zealanders, while their own leaders struggle to draw audiences. Parliament is due to be dissolved on Monday, and Ardern told reporters on Friday that she would have decided by then, while giving assurances that the election commission had already planned for the vote - which must be held by Nov. 21 - to be conducted safely. (With inputs from Reuters)

New Zealand's PM Ardern expected to resist call to delay vote as virus flares up

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern kicked off her Labour Party's election campaign Saturday riding high in the opinion polls after a successful response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Ardern's popularity as preferred prime minister — often referred to as "Jacindamania" — topped 60 percent in the latest surveys following her leadership through the Christchurch mosque attacks, the White Island volcanic eruption and the pandemic.&nbsp;

Before the virus forced New Zealand to seal its borders, the polls had pointed to a cliffhanger election on September 19, but support swung sharply towards the centre-left Labour Party as the country eliminated community transmission in a matter on months.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-zealand-pm-fires-immigration-minister-over-affair-315156">Also watch:&nbsp;New Zealand PM fires immigration minister over affair</a>

In a country of five million people, New Zealand has had only 22 COVID-19 deaths and it has been 99 days since the last recorded case of infection from an unknown source.&nbsp;

"When people ask, is this a COVID election, my answer is yes, it is," the charismatic 40-year-old said as she launched the campaign with a NZ$311 million (US$205 million) pledge to boost jobs.

"Businesses large and small are crucial to our economic recovery."

Labour is the senior partner in a three-party coalition government but if it can maintain the support shown in recent opinion polls, where it has consistently been above 50 percent, it could govern alone after the election.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jacinda-ardern-sacks-immigration-minister-iain-lees-galloway-over-office-affair-with-ex-staffer-315014">Also read:&nbsp;Jacinda Ardern sacks Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway over office affair with ex-staffer</a>

Ardern was an unheralded MP when thrust into the Labour leadership shortly before the 2017 election when the party was struggling and "there were plenty who thought it couldn't (win)," she said.&nbsp;

"If you had told me then that our launch in 2020 would be in the midst of a global pandemic with our borders closed — I would have found that very hard to fathom."

The centrepiece of Labour's campaign is to support businesses in hiring at least 40,000 people whose employment has been affected by the coronavirus.&nbsp;

It pledged to expand existing job schemes to help employers hire staff at risk of long-term unemployment.&nbsp;

It will also help out-of-work New Zealanders start a business through an expanded self-employment programme which will provide the equivalent of the minimum wage for up to 30-hours a week.&nbsp;

"The new flexi-wage scheme is a key plank of our economic plan to support businesses to recover and to provide jobs to those who have lost work due to COVID," Ardern said.&nbsp;

"Our team-of-five-million approach to fighting COVID means there is huge willingness in our business community to avoid unemployment rising by retaining staff and taking on new employees where they can, but many just need a little bit of extra support to do that, which this package provides."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern kicked off her Labour Party's election campaign Saturday riding high in the opinion polls after a successful response to the coronavirus outbreak.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern kicked off her Labour Party's election campaign Saturday riding high in the opinion polls after a successful response to the coronavirus outbreak. Ardern's popularity as preferred prime minister — often referred to as "Jacindamania" — topped 60 percent in the latest surveys following her leadership through the Christchurch mosque attacks, the White Island volcanic eruption and the pandemic. Before the virus forced New Zealand to seal its borders, the polls had pointed to a cliffhanger election on September 19, but support swung sharply towards the centre-left Labour Party as the country eliminated community transmission in a matter on months. Also watch: New Zealand PM fires immigration minister over affair In a country of five million people, New Zealand has had only 22 COVID-19 deaths and it has been 99 days since the last recorded case of infection from an unknown source. "When people ask, is this a COVID election, my answer is yes, it is," the charismatic 40-year-old said as she launched the campaign with a NZ$311 million (US$205 million) pledge to boost jobs. "Businesses large and small are crucial to our economic recovery." Labour is the senior partner in a three-party coalition government but if it can maintain the support shown in recent opinion polls, where it has consistently been above 50 percent, it could govern alone after the election. Also read: Jacinda Ardern sacks Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway over office affair with ex-staffer Ardern was an unheralded MP when thrust into the Labour leadership shortly before the 2017 election when the party was struggling and "there were plenty who thought it couldn't (win)," she said. "If you had told me then that our launch in 2020 would be in the midst of a global pandemic with our borders closed — I would have found that very hard to fathom." The centrepiece of Labour's campaign is to support businesses in hiring at least 40,000 people whose employment has been affected by the coronavirus. It pledged to expand existing job schemes to help employers hire staff at risk of long-term unemployment. It will also help out-of-work New Zealanders start a business through an expanded self-employment programme which will provide the equivalent of the minimum wage for up to 30-hours a week. "The new flexi-wage scheme is a key plank of our economic plan to support businesses to recover and to provide jobs to those who have lost work due to COVID," Ardern said. "Our team-of-five-million approach to fighting COVID means there is huge willingness in our business community to avoid unemployment rising by retaining staff and taking on new employees where they can, but many just need a little bit of extra support to do that, which this package provides."

New Zealand's Ardern kicks off election campaign after taming virus

New&nbsp;Zealand's opposition has selected a conservative veteran nicknamed "Crusher" as a leader to challenge Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a September general election.

The center-right National Party selected Judith Collins in a caucus vote late Tuesday, hours after her predecessor Todd Muller unexpectedly quit, saying the pressure of the role was too much.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-mosque-shooter-to-represent-himself-at-sentencing-312873">New Zealand mosque shooter to represent himself at sentencing</a>

Collins is best known to&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealanders for a stint as police minister under previous prime minister John Key when she earned her nickname "Crusher Collins" by bringing in a law allowing officers to confiscate and destroy the cars of illegal street racers.

The 61-year-old played up her tough image after being confirmed as the leader, telling reporters: "I am hoping that the National Party can crush the other lot when it comes to September 19."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jacinda-ardern-suggests-shorter-working-week-to-kickstart-economy-post-lockdown-299876">Jacinda Ardern suggests shorter working week to kickstart economy post lockdown</a>

Collins admitted she faced a difficult task against Ardern, whose center-left Labour Party leads the National Party 50 percent to 38 in opinion polls.

Collins is the fourth National leader since the 2017 election but brings more political experience than her predecessors, having first entered parliament in 2002.

A popular figure with the conservative wing, she vowed to unify the party to present a strong challenge to Ardern.

New Zealand's opposition has selected a conservative veteran nicknamed "Crusher" as a leader to challenge Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a September general election.

New Zealand's opposition has selected a conservative veteran nicknamed "Crusher" as a leader to challenge Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a September general election. The center-right National Party selected Judith Collins in a caucus vote late Tuesday, hours after her predecessor Todd Muller unexpectedly quit, saying the pressure of the role was too much. Also read: New Zealand mosque shooter to represent himself at sentencing Collins is best known to New Zealanders for a stint as police minister under previous prime minister John Key when she earned her nickname "Crusher Collins" by bringing in a law allowing officers to confiscate and destroy the cars of illegal street racers. The 61-year-old played up her tough image after being confirmed as the leader, telling reporters: "I am hoping that the National Party can crush the other lot when it comes to September 19." Also read: Jacinda Ardern suggests shorter working week to kickstart economy post lockdown Collins admitted she faced a difficult task against Ardern, whose center-left Labour Party leads the National Party 50 percent to 38 in opinion polls. Collins is the fourth National leader since the 2017 election but brings more political experience than her predecessors, having first entered parliament in 2002. A popular figure with the conservative wing, she vowed to unify the party to present a strong challenge to Ardern.

New Zealand opposition chooses 'Crusher' to challenge Ardern