New Zealand tires of its cuddly liberal government

KIWIS WERE living in happy isolation ahead of their general election three years ago. Even as covid-19 caused havoc overseas, they were safe behind closed borders, and so thankful to the then prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, that they gave her Labour Party the first majority in the history of New Zealand’s system of proportional representation. Their gratitude has faded. Ms Ardern resigned in January amid plummeting ratings. Her successor, Chris Hipkins, lacks her sparkle. New Zealanders are expected to vote out his centre-left government in elections on October 14th, ushering in a coalition of right-wing parties.