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.
Max's recent articles
13 November 2024
Election study shows what kind of government New Zealand voters wanted
The US election guru James Carville is credited with putting Bill Clinton in the White House with the slogan “It’s the Economy, Stupid” on his election strategy white board every day of the US Presidential campaign in 1992. The New Zealand Election Study indicates the economy was also front of mind for voters in the 2023 General Election.
23 July 2024
Former New Zealand political rivals alarmed at sudden foreign policy changes
The New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon unilaterally announced new directions for New Zealand’s foreign policy in an interview during a visit to the United States to attend a NATO meeting.
18 July 2024
Jacinda Ardern joins programme by major U.S. think tank the Center for American Progress
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s new international role is leader of a project created by the think tank the Center for American Progress, known as CAP. Reactions to this apparently counter intuitive move have been varied.
19 June 2024
Chinese Premier and New Zealand Prime Minister agree to differ during friendly visit
The Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited New Zealand last week (June 13-15) and held talks that were generally agreed to be frank but friendly. It was the highest ranking visit by a Chinese official for seven years and coincided with the tenth anniversary of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
7 June 2024
New Zealand’s centre-right coalition gives with one hand, takes with the other
The latest Budget in New Zealand appeared to have been driven by the old idea that small government is the best government. Thousands of public service jobs have been slashed while the government reduced its own revenue by cutting taxes.
9 May 2024
NZ Foreign Minister’s anti-China defamation of Carr threatens trans-Tasman friendship
Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr sues New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters for defamation over AUKUS comments. The defamation action comes as a chagrined Peters took what looked like a step back from AUKUS in recent speeches.
17 February 2024
New Zealands new government distracted by minor coalition partner interests
The Labour Party in Opposition in New Zealand describes the new National Party government as the coalition of chaos. Others call it the three headed monster. It appears that at least one of the monsters minor heads is doing more talking than its leader.
30 November 2023
New Zealand's new coalition government turns back the clock
The new National Party led government for New Zealand will be New Zealands first cabinet coalition of three parties. Their joint agreement, hammered out during a month of difficult negotiations, will reverse a number of reforms introduced by the outgoing Labour Government and cut public service staff to approach 2017 levels.
14 November 2023
Final election count complicates New Zealand Coalition negotiations
The final count of all votes cast in the New Zealand general election has brought into play a third element in the new governments coalition negotiations.
17 October 2023
A swing from Labour gives New Zealand a new National Party Government
Six years ago New Zealand's Sixth Labour Government aimed to make New Zealand a better place in which to live. Its first term of three years was almost a dream run. It didn't last. Disruption by outside influences including the COVID Pandemic and international inflation, and a disciplined election campaign by the political opposition combined to defeat the government.
28 March 2023
AUKUS a test of NZ's independent foreign policy
The AUKUS nuclear submarine deal presents New Zealand with a difficult dilemma. On one hand old allies are forming a military alliance to confront an emergent China, ramping up their AUKUS relationship and their rhetoric magnifying Chinas threat. On the other hand is New Zealands long standing carefully nurtured relationship with its major trading partner.
23 January 2023
New Zealands 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.
19 January 2023
New Zealands 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.
4 December 2022
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 for Labour in the election due next year.
1 December 2021
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.
24 October 2021
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.
27 September 2021
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.
4 September 2021
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.
18 October 2020
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).
1 October 2020
New Zealand National Party leader Judith Collins manages to smudge PM Arderns 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 Arderns performance in the first TV election debate lacked lustre.
22 September 2020
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.
10 August 2020
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.
20 July 2020
New Zealands 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 Partys fourth leader since Jacinda Ardern became Prime Minister in late 2017 aims to live up to her moniker.
23 June 2020
Row erupts over the New Zealand Governments 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 Governments credibility as an election approaches.
19 May 2020
MAX HAYTON. New Zealands budget presses the reset button
Before the Covid-19 pandemic New Zealands unemployment and net Crown debt were low. That has all changed, but in the midst of the crisis the Labour Government sees opportunities.
12 April 2020
MAX HAYTON. Ardern provides crisis management masterclass.
New Zealand is giving us a crisis management masterclass. Prime Minister Ardern has demonstrated skilfuland empathetic management of the Covid-19 crisis.
19 February 2020
MAX HAYTON. New Zealand's Government faces an uphill election battle.
A recent poll suggests that New Zealands Labour Party had insufficient support to form a government if an election had been held when the poll was taken.
6 February 2020
MAX HAYTON. New Zealand campaign for September Election Day intensifies.
New Zealands Labour Government announced an election will be held on September 19 and almost immediately revealed its plans for massive investment in infrastructure.
3 June 2019
MAX HAYTON.New Zealands Wellbeing Budget.
The New Zealand Labour Governments 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 Zealands economy and society after decades of centre-right economics.
21 March 2019
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.
3 March 2019
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.
10 February 2019
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.
22 October 2018
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.
5 October 2018
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.
24 September 2018
MAX HAYTON. Climate change policy wins wide support in New Zealand
New Zealands 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 bring down Prime Ministers in Australia, across the Tasman it is stimulating deep thought about innovative legislation.
23 August 2018
MAX HAYTON. New Zealand bans foreign home buyers.
The New Zealand Governments ban on foreigners buying homes is a break from the deregulation of the past when New Zealands doors were thrown open to all comers. The new ban is not very different from the law in Australia.
29 May 2018
MAX HAYTON. NZ's government looks towards investing in better lives.
The New Zealand Labour-led Governments 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.
9 April 2018
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 Arderns 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.
3 April 2018
MAX HAYTON. Kiwibank lessons for Australia.
Its 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 doesnt necessarily fix all the problems.
19 February 2018
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.
19 November 2017
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?
20 October 2017
MAX HAYTON. NZ election finally produces a government.
A stunning election outcome has given New Zealand a new government with the potential to transform the countrys economy and society. Risen star and youngest ever New Zealand woman Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, aged 37, leads a coalition that ends the nine-year reign of the conservative, centre-Right National Party under former money dealer John Key and farmer Bill English. Ardern and her partners represent a fresh multi-hued approach.
24 September 2017
MAX HAYTON. The New Zealand Election: MMP will decide
The result of the New Zealand election on Saturday was inconclusive. On the night the leader of the Labour Party Jacinda Ardern said MMP will decide who governs for the next three years. MMP or Mixed Member Proportional elections usually create coalitions. It has done so again.
21 September 2017
MAX HAYTON. NZ election, politics and leaks.
A dramatic event in the last week of the New Zealand election campaign looked set to destabilise the Governments re-election plans. Although it was a major development which continues to disrupt the travel plans of thousands of visitors and New Zealanders, the Governments polling looks firm.
18 September 2017
MAX HAYTON. Jacindamania in NZ
The New Zealand election campaign has produced a star but is it rising or setting or is it just a descending meteorite heading for early burnout? The polls on September 23 will give the answer. Current polls a week from Election Day are confused and confusing.
27 July 2017
MAX HAYTON. New Zealands General Election, September 23 2017.
Therell be no revolution this time. Polls show New Zealand voters are as contented as a herd of freshly milked cows. The election will produce a government that will be either centre-left or centre-right. Either way, the winner will probably need help from minor parties.
29 March 2017
MAX HAYTON. Kiwibank - lessons for Australia.
Its 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 doesnt necessarily fix all the problems.