ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
The news of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's resignation has left New Zealanders in shock and surprise and grappling with many unanswered questions.
Since Thursday (January 19), when Ardern made the announcement, there has been a lot of reaction across communities – the good, bad and ugly.
The business community, which is struggling as it continues to deal with increasing crime and ram raids, too, have reacted to the news.
Kirk Hope, the Chief Executive of BusinessNZ (New Zealand's leading business advocacy group, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes), maintains that many current business concerns relate to specific government policies.
Explains Hope, “BusinessNZ’s survey of business opinion last year showed our members’ main concerns were about skill shortages (immigration policy), inflation and cost increases (fiscal and monetary policy), and general uncertainty (from significant policy change being developed and implemented in several policy areas including employment relations).”
Hope opines that Prime Minister Ardern's resignation could, at best, open a window for a reset in some policies. Elaborating on the same, he says, “For example, it could give Labour a chance to review currently poor policy such as Fair Pay Agreements. At the very least, the PM's resignation will allow for some new conversations about specific business concerns.”
He maintained that none of these problematic policy areas is seen as essentially 'Ardern-driven'. “Business advocacy will need to continue on a policy-by-policy basis with relevant Ministers – businesses will be looking closely for any Ministerial reshuffles that may occur soon,” signs off Hope.
It may be noted that the Labour Party caucus members on Sunday unanimously endorsed Chris Hipkins as their new leader and as the next prime minister of New Zealand. Hipkins also announced on Sunday that Carmel Sepuloni will be deputy Prime Minister and Kelvin Davis will remain deputy Labour leader.
It may be noted that Hipkins won't officially become Prime Minister until Prime Minister Ardern submits her resignation and he is sworn in by the Governor-General on Wednesday.
The news of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's resignation has left New Zealanders in shock and surprise and grappling with many unanswered questions.
Since Thursday (January 19), when Ardern made the announcement, there has been a lot of reaction across communities – the good, bad and ugly.
The...
The news of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's resignation has left New Zealanders in shock and surprise and grappling with many unanswered questions.
Since Thursday (January 19), when Ardern made the announcement, there has been a lot of reaction across communities – the good, bad and ugly.
The business community, which is struggling as it continues to deal with increasing crime and ram raids, too, have reacted to the news.
Kirk Hope, the Chief Executive of BusinessNZ (New Zealand's leading business advocacy group, representing thousands of businesses of all sizes), maintains that many current business concerns relate to specific government policies.
Explains Hope, “BusinessNZ’s survey of business opinion last year showed our members’ main concerns were about skill shortages (immigration policy), inflation and cost increases (fiscal and monetary policy), and general uncertainty (from significant policy change being developed and implemented in several policy areas including employment relations).”
Hope opines that Prime Minister Ardern's resignation could, at best, open a window for a reset in some policies. Elaborating on the same, he says, “For example, it could give Labour a chance to review currently poor policy such as Fair Pay Agreements. At the very least, the PM's resignation will allow for some new conversations about specific business concerns.”
He maintained that none of these problematic policy areas is seen as essentially 'Ardern-driven'. “Business advocacy will need to continue on a policy-by-policy basis with relevant Ministers – businesses will be looking closely for any Ministerial reshuffles that may occur soon,” signs off Hope.
It may be noted that the Labour Party caucus members on Sunday unanimously endorsed Chris Hipkins as their new leader and as the next prime minister of New Zealand. Hipkins also announced on Sunday that Carmel Sepuloni will be deputy Prime Minister and Kelvin Davis will remain deputy Labour leader.
It may be noted that Hipkins won't officially become Prime Minister until Prime Minister Ardern submits her resignation and he is sworn in by the Governor-General on Wednesday.
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