Jacinda Ardern won over many New Zealand farmers with effective COVID-19 policies, but the influential rural bloc has soured on her as out of touch, weighing on the chances for the prime minister's successor to stay in power.
, saying she had "no more in the tank" after five and a half years marked by upheavals such as COVID, a massacre of Muslims by a white supremacist and a deadly volcano.
Rural voters say reforms by Ardern's Labour Party, meant to improve the environmental impact of farming, are costly and ineffective. Farmers worry that the extra costs and work will make their products more expensive and less competitive in foreign markets. The rural vote has now largely swung back, angered at Labour's efforts to reduce water pollution from fertilisers and animal waste, change the leases on high country ranches and overhaul water infrastructure. The government has proposed an unpopular plan for farmers to pay forA Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll released on Friday, based on data from before Ardern's resignation announcement, showed Labour at 31.7%, trailing the conservative opposition National Party's 37.2%.
The government has said making farmers follow best practice and reduce their environmental footprint will create demand as consumers become more discerning about the origin of their food.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern plans to leave officeNew Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said yesterday that 'it's time' for her to move on. The announcement was a shock that has rocked the country's political landscape.
Read more »
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern plans to leave officeSpeaking to her party's annual caucus, 42-year-old Ardern said 'it's time' for her to move on and that she 'no longer had enough in the tank' for her premiership.
Read more »
Chris Hipkins to be New Zealand’s next prime minister, replacing Jacinda ArdernEducation Minister Chris Hipkins is set to become New Zealand’s next prime minister after he was the only candidate to enter the race Saturday to replace Jacinda Ardern.
Read more »
Chris Hipkins set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand prime ministerChris Hipkins is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand's next prime minister after emerging as the only candidate nominated to lead the Labour Party, the party said on Saturday.
Read more »
Chris Hipkins set to replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand prime ministerChris Hipkins, who played a significant role in New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to replace Jacinda Ardern as prime minister.
Read more »
Here's who may replace Jacinda Ardern as New Zealand prime ministerChris Hipkins, New Zealand's education minister, is likely to replace Jacinda Ardern as the country's prime minister after she announced her resignation.
Read more »