NZ Elections

In a couple of months, Kiwis will decide who will be in Parliament for the next three years.  Of course, the National Party of Prime Minister John Key is going all out to retain their seat in Government while the Labour Party led by David Cunliffe is just raring to have a go at it again after losing out in the last few years.  The other contending political parties are the Green Party, Maori Party, New Zealand First, ACT, United Future, Conservative Party, Mana Party, and Internet Party.  There are other lesser known political parties given that the following are the main requirements for registering a party: a name that is not likely to cause offence or confusion, or which refers to a title or honour, or is too long; has 500 or more current financial members eligible to enrol as electors; and an auditor.  It's no wonder that there are lesser known parties with even lesser known personalities fronting and/or running.  The political landscape therefore is not so different from that found in other countries.

Julie Hardaker, Mayor

Today as I was dropping-off my wife and daughter in the Hamilton CBD, who should I see, walking all by herself, lugging a big bag and hugging a pile of folders, but Hamilton City's Mayor, Julie Hardaker.  Looking at her photo which I liberally lifted from her website, what an infectious smile!


I've met her personally several times---a couple of official functions and one I can distinctly remember being up-close-and-personal in a community gathering.  I can still remember her taking a photo of us in her mobile phone.  Was it a selfie?  I don't know because there were several of us with her in the photo.  How I wish I could ask the mayor for a copy of our group photo in her mobile phone.  Does she delete photos or saves them for posterity?  That would be interesting to know!


This beautiful, tall, dynamic, remarkable and extraordinary Mayor is now on her second term.  I'll not talk about her being a politician, her track record or anything that's already publicly available if you just search the Internet.  All I can say is that she will listen to you intently, as I witnessed her doing in one of those break-out sessions conducted by the Hamilton City Council.  I was that person talking about entrepreneurship and education for migrants.


The few times I've seen her she dresses simply but elegantly---power dressing, that's the word, so 1980s.  She was a lawyer before entering politics, that might explain the power dressing part.  I'd love to someday see her in jeans or something more casual.  And I'd love to do a Q&A with her too.


I so admire a person who wields power but does not show it, nor flaunt it.  What no bodyguards or security detail?  And what was she doing walking towards her office?  Not even a parking space specially reserved for the mayor?  Now that's power!


That's how politics is in NZ.  I've seen councillors, mayors, ministers, and MPs driving their own cars, moving without fanfare and the usual caboodle.  I grew up in a country where even the lowliest local politician has his/her own coterie of security people and cabal of supporters.


I might even run for public office.  I heard Kim Dotcom's Internet party is looking for candidates in the coming elections this September.  Now that's an interesting thought!