Ardern’s resignation hands the 2023 election to National

Ardern’s resignation hands the 2023 election to National
Christopher Luxon speaks to media less than an hour before Jacinda Ardern's resignation announcement today. (Image: BusinessDesk)
Pattrick Smellie
Barring extraordinary incompetence by the National party, Jacinda Ardern has all but handed the election to a National-led government with her unexpected resignation this morning.I would write “shock” resignation, except that we have seen this before.In December 2016, facing a steady decline in his personal popularity, the then National party prime minister, John Key, announced he was quitting well ahead of the 2017 election.He'd said often enough that he knew the electorate "gets sick of you" eventually.For Ardern, th...

More Opinion

Why does NZ suck at building brands
Markets

Eden Bradfield: Why does NZ suck at building brands

Let the French have Fonterra brands, Eden Bradfield writes.

Eden Bradfield 06 Sep 2025
Taxes: here, there and everywhere
Opinion

Simon Robertson: Taxes: here, there and everywhere

NZ should clean up its tax system to make it the simplest system in the world.

Simon Robertson 06 Sep 2025
Will Sharesies investors still support Me Today?
Retail

Stock & Trade: Will Sharesies investors still support Me Today?

Me Today is launching its fifth capital raise since March 2020.

Stock & Trade 05 Sep 2025
Absenteeism: When can you fairly cry halt?
Law & Regulation

Rachael Judge: Absenteeism: When can you fairly cry halt?

Even with strong justification for dismissal, employers can let themselves down.

Rachael Judge 05 Sep 2025