Jacinda Ardern Maintains Popularity as Political Landscape Shifts

Jacinda Ardern continues to be New Zealand’s most favored political figure, as evidenced by her rising popularity in a recent poll. The latest findings from the Post/Freshwater Strategy poll, conducted by Infrastructure New Zealand, reveal that Ardern holds a net favorability rating of +17, a six-point increase since October. Despite resigning as Prime Minister in January 2023 amid political challenges, including rising living costs and crime rates, her presence remains strong in the public eye.

Ardern’s recent resurgence can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the release of a documentary about her premiership. The film, titled Prime Minister, premiered in New Zealand in September after receiving a standing ovation at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award for World Cinema Documentary. The documentary, featuring over 300 hours of footage, includes intimate home videos and archival audio, providing an in-depth look at her time in office.

Political Dynamics in New Zealand

In addition to Ardern, her successor as Labour leader, Chris Hipkins, has also seen positive movement in his approval ratings. Hipkins recorded a net favorability of +7, an increase of seven points. The Labour Party as a whole scored +13, marking a ten-point rise. This shift suggests that while Ardern left the political arena, her party continues to resonate with voters.

On the other hand, National Party leader Christopher Luxon remains in negative territory despite a 12-point rise to a net rating of -11. The National Party itself sits at -7, up six points. Both Luxon and ACT Party leader David Seymour, who holds a net rating of -15, experienced notable shifts in sentiment, although they remain less popular among the electorate.

The poll also highlights changes in public perceptions of other political figures. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters, achieved a net zero rating, while his party, NZ First, stands at -3. Green Party co-leader Chloë Swarbrick climbed to -5, indicating a growing acceptance among voters.

While many political figures saw their approval ratings improve, the Te Pāti Māori party was the exception, experiencing a 5-point decline. It now holds the lowest rating at -39. The party leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, has a net rating of -23, while other notable figures such as Tory Whanau and Wayne Brown also reported negative ratings.

International Views and Public Sentiment

Beyond local politics, the poll indicates that New Zealand voters have a decidedly negative view of prominent international figures. Former US President Donald Trump received a dismal net rating of -37, while entrepreneur Elon Musk sits at -25. Conversely, King Charles III of the United Kingdom enjoys a net favorability of +14, having gained 11 points recently. Environmental activist Greta Thunberg holds a net rating of -17, reflecting mixed sentiments.

The Post/Freshwater Strategy poll was conducted from December 5 to December 10, 2023, involving 1,031 eligible New Zealand voters aged 18 and over. The margin of error is +/- 3%, and data are weighted to represent the demographic composition of New Zealand voters. This polling effort, funded by Infrastructure New Zealand, aims to foster discussions on critical issues affecting the future of the country.

As New Zealand’s political landscape continues to evolve, the enduring popularity of Jacinda Ardern suggests a complex relationship between leadership and public sentiment, providing a fascinating backdrop to the upcoming electoral challenges.