New Zealand at the Polls

A good day for prime minister John Key, whose centre-right party won a record-breaking share of votes.

The prime minister of New Zealand, John Key, has had his contract renewed following Saturday’s general election. Committing himself to welfare reform and achieving a government surplus, Key brought in nearly half the votes. Key’s National party will govern with the country’s Labour party which lost nine seats in the election, and two minor right wing parties. The newly re-elected prime minister has not had an easy run so far, with the Pike River coal mine disaster and earthquakes both occurring during his first term, and an overall debt to overseas lenders equal to 83 per cent of the country’s GDP.