New Zealand has long been viewed as a beacon of progressive politics. From its pioneering stance on women’s suffrage in 1893 to its embrace of social justice, climate action, and equitable policies in the modern era, the country has cultivated an international reputation as a progressive haven. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable political shift towards the right.
This shift has left many observers—both within New Zealand and internationally—wondering how a nation with such progressive credentials could lean conservative in its political orientation. This article explores the multifaceted reasons behind New Zealand’s rightward turn, examining socio-political dynamics, economic concerns, cultural factors, and global influences that have contributed to this shift.
New Zealand’s political shift, it’s important to appreciate its historically progressive trajectory. The country has been at the forefront of major social and political reforms for more than a century. As the first nation to grant women the right to vote, New Zealand established itself early on as a progressive leader. This was followed by significant labor reforms, the establishment of a comprehensive welfare state, and progressive social policies that supported workers, women, and indigenous communities, particularly the Māori.
Throughout much of the 20th century, New Zealand’s political landscape was dominated by the Labour Party, which espoused left-leaning policies aimed at reducing inequality, expanding public services, and protecting workers’ rights. Even the opposition, typically represented by the National Party, maintained a centrist stance on many issues, particularly concerning the welfare state.
New Zealand’s progressive identity further solidified in the early 2000s under Prime Minister Helen Clark, whose government championed social reforms, environmental protections, and New Zealand’s anti-nuclear stance. However, the political landscape began to change in the last decade, particularly after the National Party’s resurgence in 2008 under John Key, followed by the recent resurgence of the right-leaning parties in the 2020s.
One of the most significant drivers of New Zealand’s political shift has been economic frustration, particularly concerning housing affordability and the rising cost of living. Over the past decade, housing prices in New Zealand, especially in Auckland, have skyrocketed, outpacing wage growth and making homeownership unattainable for many. According to 2023 statistics, house prices had increased by over 70% since 2010, with the average price of a home in Auckland reaching NZD 1.1 million.
This housing crisis has become a focal point of public discontent, leading to frustration with the Labour Party’s handling of the issue during Jacinda Ardern’s tenure as Prime Minister. Although Ardern’s government implemented the KiwiBuild program to address housing shortages, critics argued that it fell short of its ambitious targets. As a result, voters increasingly turned to right-wing parties, who promised to tackle the housing crisis through market-oriented solutions, such as reducing regulations to speed up housing development.
Inflationary pressures have further exacerbated public dissatisfaction. By mid-2022, New Zealand’s inflation rate had climbed to its highest level in decades, reaching over 7%. Rising food, energy, and fuel prices left many households struggling to make ends meet. The global economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with domestic challenges like labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, put immense pressure on the government.
The Labour government, once heralded for its effective pandemic response, found itself criticized for its economic policies, which some viewed as contributing to inflationary woes. In contrast, right-leaning political figures, particularly from the National Party, positioned themselves as better economic managers, advocating for tax cuts, deregulation, and fiscal restraint.
Cultural and Social Backlash
Another key factor in New Zealand’s political shift has been the backlash against what many perceive as “woke” politics. Under Ardern, the Labour government placed significant emphasis on progressive social issues such as LGBTQ+ rights, indigenous rights, and climate change. While these policies resonated with younger, urban voters, they alienated a portion of the electorate, particularly in rural areas and among older generations.
The term “woke,” which refers to being aware of and actively addressing social justice issues, has increasingly taken on negative connotations among certain demographics. Critics argue that the government’s focus on identity politics and social justice detracts from more pressing economic issues. For some, the emphasis on progressive values became synonymous with virtue signaling, leading to a growing sense of resentment.
The right-wing political parties, notably ACT and National, capitalized on this sentiment, presenting themselves as champions of common-sense policies that prioritize economic well-being over what they called the “excesses of wokeness.” This strategy effectively appealed to voters who felt overlooked by the progressive agenda, particularly those concerned about issues like crime, immigration, and government overreach.
Nationalism and Immigration
A growing sense of nationalism has also contributed to the rightward shift in New Zealand’s politics. As global migration patterns have increased, so too has public anxiety about immigration. Concerns over job competition, housing shortages, and the perceived strain on public services have led to calls for tighter immigration controls.
The National and ACT parties have both tapped into these concerns by advocating for stricter immigration policies. While New Zealand has traditionally been a country that welcomes immigrants, particularly from Pacific nations and Asia, recent debates have centered on the need to “put New Zealanders first” in terms of employment and housing. This nationalist rhetoric has resonated with voters who feel economically insecure and fear that immigrants are exacerbating the housing crisis.
New Zealand is not immune to global political trends, and the rightward shift in its politics mirrors broader movements seen in other democracies, particularly in Europe and the United States. The rise of populist leaders like Donald Trump in the U.S. and far-right parties in Europe has emboldened conservative movements around the world. These leaders have promoted policies centered on nationalism, anti-globalization, and skepticism toward progressive causes such as climate change and social justice.
In New Zealand, the influence of these global movements has been subtle but significant. Right-wing politicians have increasingly adopted populist rhetoric, positioning themselves as defenders of “everyday New Zealanders” against elites and bureaucrats. This populist messaging has proven effective in rallying voters who feel disillusioned with traditional politics.
The COVID-19 pandemic played a critical role in reshaping New Zealand’s political landscape. Initially, Jacinda Ardern’s leadership received widespread praise for its decisive lockdown measures, which successfully kept the virus at bay in the early stages of the pandemic. However, as the pandemic dragged on, public patience began to wane. Extended lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and travel restrictions led to increasing frustration, particularly among libertarian and right-leaning voters.
Protests against vaccine mandates and government control, such as the 2022 Wellington protests, highlighted the growing divide between segments of the population and the government’s handling of the pandemic. The right-wing ACT Party capitalized on this sentiment by adopting a strong libertarian stance, advocating for fewer restrictions and greater personal freedoms.
Jacinda Ardern and Labour’s Decline
Jacinda Ardern’s meteoric rise to global prominence was fueled by her charisma, compassion, and progressive values. She was lauded for her leadership during crises such as the Christchurch mosque shootings and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, by the time of her resignation in early 2023, Ardern’s popularity had waned significantly.
Several factors contributed to this decline. First, the housing crisis and cost-of-living pressures, which many felt had not been adequately addressed, eroded public trust in her government. Despite strong rhetoric on climate change and social justice, many voters felt that Ardern’s government had failed to deliver on key economic issues that directly affected their daily lives.
Second, Ardern’s personal brand of politics—centered on kindness, inclusivity, and empathy—began to wear thin among segments of the electorate who perceived it as disconnected from the country’s economic realities. The Labour Party’s focus on progressive causes, while celebrated internationally, seemed increasingly out of step with the concerns of working-class and rural voters.
Labour’s Leadership Vacuum
When Ardern resigned, her successor, Chris Hipkins, faced the daunting task of revitalizing a party that was struggling to maintain its broad base of support. Hipkins attempted to reframe Labour’s messaging to focus on “bread and butter” issues like the cost of living, but by this point, many voters had already gravitated toward the right-leaning National and ACT parties, seeing them as better equipped to manage the economy. Labour’s internal struggles, combined with the growing influence of right-wing political messaging, set the stage for a more conservative electoral outcome in 2023 and beyond.
In the 2023 general election, New Zealand saw a significant swing to the right, with the National Party and ACT gaining ground at the expense of Labour. National, led by Christopher Luxon, presented a platform that promised to restore economic stability, cut taxes, and tackle the housing crisis through market-based solutions. Meanwhile, ACT, under David Seymour, appealed to libertarians and those disillusioned with government intervention.
The results of the election were a clear indication that many New Zealanders had lost faith in the Labour Party’s ability to deliver on its promises. The right-wing coalition that emerged in the aftermath of the election represents a marked departure from the progressive politics that had dominated New Zealand for much of the previous decade.
