New Zealand - Election - 2014
The 21 September 2014 election was won by the incumbent right-wing National Party, which gathered more than 47 percent of the vote, and will form the new government. John Key was set to lead New Zealand for another three years with 61 seats - more seats than National won in 2011 - a one seat majority, unprecedented in 18 years of Governments under Mixed Member Proportional (MMP). He said he would aim to govern with ACT, United Future and the Maori Party, but did not rule out "finding some common ground" with NZ First. Key would not need NZ First to govern. Labour battled to 32 seats, and the Greens 13. The center-left can not form a Government, even with the 11 seats NZ First claimed, or with UnitedFuture (one seat), or the Maori Party (two seats). The Conservatives failed to reach the 5 per cent threshold.
A coalition of anti-establishment politicians and internet freedom advocates led by entrepreneur Kim Dotcom – who promised to shake up New Zealand politics – suffered a humiliating defeat at the country’s parliamentary elections. The Internet-Mana party gained just 26,500 votes – 1.3 percent of the total, and short of the five percent needed to cross the parliament threshold. With half the parliament seats contested through proportional representation, and half in a first-past-the-post local election, the party also lost its only previous locally elected MP, Hone Harawira, who couldn’t hold onto his seat. The Internet-Mana coalition, formed in May, always appeared like somewhat awkward bedfellows, with Mana – a predominantly Maori left-wing party – promising free education and significant nationalization, and the Internet Party focusing on technology and citizens’ rights.
Prime Minister John Key suddenly resigned on 5 December 2016. Key said it was "the hardest decision I've ever made ... To me, this feels like the right time to go." Key's biggest regret - "at a somewhat superficial level not getting the flag through, although I accepts it's not the most important issue." Key said wanting to rediscover family life was just one of many factors that led to his decision. Another was not wanting to replicate other political leaders who stayed too long.
Former National party leader Don Brash said John Key had enjoyed being Prime Minister and ego-boosting meetings with world leaders but he has been guilty of tinkering rather than making major changes. Mana leader Hone Harawira says John Key had been a great leader for the rich. Harawira said naked greed has been the hallmark of Key's tenure and Maori have suffered massive loss during that time.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bill English was the front-runner for the leadership. English, who led the National Party to a disastrous election defeat in 2002, has Mr Key's support.
New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English was sworn in 12 December 2016 as the country's new prime minister after the surprise announcement that John Key was stepping down after eight years in the role. English, a former farmer with degrees in commerce and literature, said he is "excited and humbled" by his new job. He was taking over at a time when New Zealand was doing well economically.
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