Election day in New Zealand
09.16.05 (10:08 am) [edit]
As New Zealand is 10 hours ahead of us here in Western Europe, in New Zealand it is already election day. The polls will be open from 9am, i.e. in just over an hour. I see that all the New Zealand-based political bloggers are refraining from posting anything about the elections today (and many have closed off or are monitoring their comments), because New Zealand law is pretty strict when it comes to not being allowed to do any sort of campaigning on election today, including on the internet. Lucky for me, I'm not in New Zealand, and nor is my blog provider, so I can say whatever I like, as can you in the comments section if you so desire.
Even in the final week before the election, the polls have been all over the place. As a result, it remains anybody's guess what's going to happen. The foreign newspapers which are covering the New Zealand election are all saying something along the lines of "too close to call", and they're right. I put my head on the block and listed my predictions just over a week ago. They could all go horribly wrong. Time will tell.
By the time I wake up tomorrow, the first results will be trickling in. Since I don't have access to New Zealand television, I'll be relying on the internet, so I won't necessarily have the news the fastest, but I will be keeping a careful eye on things and updating here as an when appropriate.
Anyone who has read more than a handful of posts here at The Capital Letter should have a pretty clear idea of the result I'm hoping for tomorrow: I'm after another centre-left New Zealand government, and I am particularly concerned about the future direction of New Zealand under a possible centre-right government led by Don Brash. I am convinced that Don Brash would be a disastrous Prime Minister for New Zealand, for a whole host of reasons. I cast my special vote accordingly at the New Zealand Embassy last week. I just hope that the majority of the electorate agrees.
I've never seen a New Zealand election campaign run this close to the wire. Nor have I ever seen an election in which I thought there was such a stark choice between two very distinct directions the prospective governments would lead the country in. As a result, I've never cared quite so deeply about the result of a New Zealand election.
I desperately hope that I'll wake up to the news I want to hear tomorrow. If I don't, my remaining faith in the New Zealand electorate is going to take a big hit. If my country takes a significant turn to the right, which I fear will be be the case if we get a National-led government after tomorrow's election, I certainly won't be in a hurry to go back. Let's put it this way: I've got everything crossable crossed.
Even in the final week before the election, the polls have been all over the place. As a result, it remains anybody's guess what's going to happen. The foreign newspapers which are covering the New Zealand election are all saying something along the lines of "too close to call", and they're right. I put my head on the block and listed my predictions just over a week ago. They could all go horribly wrong. Time will tell.
By the time I wake up tomorrow, the first results will be trickling in. Since I don't have access to New Zealand television, I'll be relying on the internet, so I won't necessarily have the news the fastest, but I will be keeping a careful eye on things and updating here as an when appropriate.
Anyone who has read more than a handful of posts here at The Capital Letter should have a pretty clear idea of the result I'm hoping for tomorrow: I'm after another centre-left New Zealand government, and I am particularly concerned about the future direction of New Zealand under a possible centre-right government led by Don Brash. I am convinced that Don Brash would be a disastrous Prime Minister for New Zealand, for a whole host of reasons. I cast my special vote accordingly at the New Zealand Embassy last week. I just hope that the majority of the electorate agrees.
I've never seen a New Zealand election campaign run this close to the wire. Nor have I ever seen an election in which I thought there was such a stark choice between two very distinct directions the prospective governments would lead the country in. As a result, I've never cared quite so deeply about the result of a New Zealand election.
I desperately hope that I'll wake up to the news I want to hear tomorrow. If I don't, my remaining faith in the New Zealand electorate is going to take a big hit. If my country takes a significant turn to the right, which I fear will be be the case if we get a National-led government after tomorrow's election, I certainly won't be in a hurry to go back. Let's put it this way: I've got everything crossable crossed.
posted by: Uroskin (reply)
post date: 09.16.05 (12:01 pm)
You can follow the election results come in live at http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/
Voting started an hour ago and I saw already lines of people waiting at polling stations. I perdict turnout will be pretty high, it's not unusual to have high turnouts here but this year it may be even greater.
BTW we're following the German elections on DW TV here in Auckland too.
posted by: BerlinBear (reply)
post date: 09.16.05 (1:05 pm)
Reply to: Uroskin
Brilliant! Thanks for that Uroskin. I'll check that out first thing in the morning.
posted by: Lindy (reply)
post date: 09.17.05 (10:02 am)
You weren't in a hurry to go back anyway, were you? Well, I hope you wake up to good news too. No one wants a grumpy bear. ;)
Good luck!
posted by: BerlinBear (reply)
post date: 09.17.05 (1:09 pm)
Reply to: Lindy
This is true, Lindy. Well spotted. But Don Brash as PM would have well and truly sealed it. And I can't wait for 2008 to roll round so I can finally lift my self-imposed ban on visiting Bush's America. It's been 5 long years and I really want to go to New York!
posted by: lindy (reply)
post date: 09.18.05 (6:44 pm)
Reply to: BerlinBear
hahaha. What's in New York for you? Other than a lot of people who say the darnedest things...
posted by: BerlinBear (reply)
post date: 09.19.05 (11:03 am)
Reply to: lindy
A good friend, who's been suggesting I should visit since he moved there in 2001. The only reason I haven't gone is my boycott. Maybe Bush will get impeached and I can go before 2008. We can only hope.
posted by: Nigel (reply)
post date: 01.19.06 (3:50 pm)
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