Writer
Max Hayton
Max Hayton is a New Zealand journalist who worked as a political correspondent in the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington in his younger days. He then traveled to London to specialise in foreign television news. In 1989 he became Foreign Editor at the start-up private channel TV3 New Zealand. After some years he became the Foreign Editor at Television New Zealand where he worked until he retired.
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New Zealand’s new Prime Minister is “Fixer” Chris Hipkins
It took less than 48 hours from Thursday until Saturday morning for New Zealanders to learn who their new Prime Minister would be. There was none of the dithering, back stabbing and delays evident in some other democracies when changing leaders. Continue reading »
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New Zealand’s Prime Minister Ardern resigns
Jacinda Ardern who has led New Zealand with intelligence, kindness and humanity is leaving the stage. Her last day as Prime Minister will be February 7. Continue reading »
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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is heading for a gloomy election year
While Ardern is a success overseas, events occurring both in the domestic market and overseas have been working against her government. The Covid Pandemic, the Ukraine war and the high cost of fuels, inflation, high interest rates and a likely year long recession combine to create concerns for New Zealand families and a night-mare scenario Continue reading »
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Tackling Jacindamania: Kiwi opposition looks for a better way to fly
Who can break Ardern’s grip on the New Zealand leadership? The National Party hopes a conservative business heavyweight will break its run of failure. Continue reading »
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Why didn’t we check in with our Pacific neighbours about AUKUS?
Pacific nations haves a long-standing reason to be wary of all things nuclear. Yet here is our government high-handedly joining a deal to send nuclear-powered submarines patrolling the region. Continue reading »
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AUKUS: NZ happy to be left out of new alliance to protect its China trade
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she wasn’t approached about joining the new AUKUS agreement and nor would she expect to be. But to be left in the dark by ANZAC mates about AUKUS is a dose of cold reality for NZ. Continue reading »
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Conservative media undermine successful pandemic policy in NZ
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused great pain not only for those suffering and dying from the infection. Continue reading »
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Jacinda Arden wins in an unprecedented landslide
It is sometimes said that New Zealand is a young country that boxes above its weight. The same might be said for its Prime Minister Jacinda Arden. In the triennial election bout she defeated the woman who seems pleased to be nicknamed “Crusher” Collins (because as a minister she ordered hoons’ cars to be crushed). Continue reading »
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New Zealand National Party leader Judith Collins manages to smudge PM Ardern’s gloss.
With less than a month to go before the General Election on October 19 the latest polls in New Zealand show the Labour Government well ahead despite many commentators saying Prime Minister Ardern’s performance in the first TV election debate lacked lustre. Continue reading »
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NZ National Party promises tax cuts while the Labor Government invests in people and infrastructure
The Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her Government have consistently polled ahead of National and its leader Judith Collins. National’s promise of tax cuts could affect the numbers. Continue reading »
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Ardern offers a steady hand and consistency to deal with the Covid crisis and build a better future.
The New Zealand Prime Minister launched the Labour Party election campaign on Saturday August 8 with one piece of new policy in a pitch that focused on maintaining the Covid control and economic recovery plan to support people and businesses and build a better society. Continue reading »
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New Zealand’s Opposition Leader Judith “Crusher” Collins says she will crush the government of Jacinda Ardern
Even her supporters use the nick-name “Crusher”. The Opposition National Party’s fourth leader since Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister in late 2017 aims to live up to her moniker. Continue reading »
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Row erupts over the New Zealand Government’s Covid crisis mistake.
The internationally acclaimed excellent performance by the New Zealand Government against the Carona virus has been marred by a mistake. It may damage the Government’s credibility as an election approaches. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand’s budget presses the reset button
Before the Covid-19 pandemic New Zealand’s unemployment and net Crown debt were low. That has all changed, but in the midst of the crisis the Labour Government sees opportunities. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. Ardern provides crisis management masterclass.
New Zealand is giving us a crisis management masterclass. Prime Minister Ardern has demonstrated skilful and empathetic management of the Covid-19 crisis. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand’s Government faces an uphill election battle.
A recent poll suggests that New Zealand’s Labour Party had insufficient support to form a government if an election had been held when the poll was taken. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand campaign for September Election Day intensifies.
New Zealand’s Labour Government announced an election will be held on September 19 and almost immediately revealed its plans for massive investment in infrastructure. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand’s Wellbeing Budget.
The New Zealand Labour Government’s first Wellbeing Budget is intentionally unconventional. It is the start of a process which the government of Jacinda Ardern hopes will continue to reposition New Zealand’s economy and society after decades of centre-right economics. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. Jacinda Ardern leads a nation in grief.
Under a remarkable young woman New Zealand is discovering deep resources of kindness and compassion. In the aftermath of the Christchurch massacre people touched by the tragedy built mountains of flowers and in their thousands attended rallies in support of the Muslims living in their communities. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. The New Zealand Government considers capital gains tax.
The New Zealand Coalition Government promised to create a fairer tax system. With growing inequality and a tax regime that leaves critical areas untaxed, the burden could be shared more fairly. The first step has been taken but hazards lie ahead. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. The New Zealand coalition says wellness makes economic sense.
The New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has made a strong impact on the world stage with her vision of liberal progressive politics that promote wellness and kindness. Doubters and opponents say economic realities could defeat her. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. Democracies work despite flaws.
The electoral laws in New Zealand and Australia differ in significant ways. There are claims New Zealand may have the more democratic system. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. Jacinda Ardern stands for kindness and collectivism.
The New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, challenged the forces of isolationism, protectionism and racism in her speech to the United Nations General Assembly. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. Climate change policy wins wide support in New Zealand
New Zealand’s coalition government under Jacinda Ardern has made dealing with climate change one of its highest priorities. It is planning dramatic new legislation and to the surprise of many observers, no doubt including some watching from Canberra, there is a high degree of cross party support and national consensus. While the issue helped to Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand bans foreign home buyers.
The New Zealand Government’s ban on foreigners buying homes is a break from the deregulation of the past when New Zealand’s doors were thrown open to all comers. The new ban is not very different from the law in Australia. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. NZ’s government looks towards investing in better lives.
The New Zealand Labour-led Government’s first budget has been judged to be conservative, cautious, restrained. It was the first step in an innovative way to reverse trends that have been souring New Zealand society. The aim is to invest in the wellbeing of the nation and improve lives, not just the economy. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. Inexperience in government brings problems for smiling Prime Minister.
Inexperience, arrogance or ignorance among members of the administration are causing problems for the New Zealand government of Jacinda Ardern. After nine years in opposition, too few members of Ardern’s cabinet have previous experience as ministers and some prefer to follow their own path, leaving the Prime Minister sometimes exposed un-briefed and even misled. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. Kiwibank – lessons for Australia.
It’s not unusual for big banks to be accused of greed, unfairness, poor service and corruption. The answer often proposed is to create a government owned bank. This has been suggested as a solution in Australia. New Zealand has already built one, but its experience shows public ownership doesn’t necessarily fix all the problems. Continue reading »
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Political pregnancies and Opposition renewal in New Zealand
Political pregnancies are the subject of public debate on both sides of the Tasman. In Australia, the Deputy Prime Minister faces a career crisis over his indiscretions. In New Zealand, the Prime Minister is due to give birth in June. Continue reading »
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MAX HAYTON. New Zealand’s new government sets fast pace
A contention that New Zealand has “lapped” Australia is worth examining in the light of recent developments. The vote to support sex marriage means Australia has increased its pace, but has it caught up? Continue reading »
