You have to earn respect, Ardern told
Business owners and lobbyists are adopting a wait and see attitude over the rise of new Labour leader Jacinda Ardern and the policy changes she might make.
Most businesses and organisations contacted by Stuff were reluctant to express a view, saying taking sides politically was a risk.
But all were interested to see what the new Labour leader, who was until recently the party’s small business spokeswoman, would bring to the table.
‘‘It’s in our best interest to work with all political parties,’’ John Milford, chief executive of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, said.
‘‘What we would say is, from New Zealand’s perspective and the business community’s perspective, a government that is led by capable, confident individuals supporting business is what we would wish for.’’
Retail NZ was also reserving judgement until it saw what policies followed.
Real estate agency boss Peter Thompson of Barfoot & Thompson said it was too early for the business world to really comment but he hoped the parties would provide voters with some clear differences. In his sector, affordable housing sector had been a major policy issue and both parties were promising to build more houses.
‘‘But the actual practicalities of that, as National’s finding out, is that it doesn’t happen overnight.’’
‘‘Are they going to bring in some form of tax? What are they going to do about migration?’’
Ardern’s appointment was ‘‘a start,’’ for Labour but it would take time for her to earn respect.
‘‘’Obviously she’s a very dynamic speaker, very presentable and that is exciting, but that just doesn’t make a good leader.
‘‘Whether you liked him or you didn’t, the previous leader was committed to his party and he took one for the team.’’
Catherine Beard of Export NZ said her main concern was that whoever won would continue to support trade, and in particular the revived Trans-pacific Partnership.
Trade made a ‘‘massive’’ contribution to New Zealand and ‘‘any wavering on commitment to TPP11 would just be really bad for the economy. ‘‘
The other concerns were getting skilled staff and the key role immigration played, and also which way Labour would play industrial relations.
If young voters turned out in force as they had in other countries, she hoped they would be informed by facts and not just emotion.
The example of Britain’s Brexit vote showed that many people had not understood the issue.
‘‘The number one Google question after the vote was, what is the European Union?’’