Byelection rivals bond on campaign trail
The least bitter rivalry in New Zealand politics has broken out in the Mt Albert byelection, with the two leading candidates striking up a friendship.
The Greens’ Julie Anne Genter and Labour’s Jacinda Ardern have been carpooling to events together and handing out leaflets side by side.
At a debate hosted by the Spinoff website last week, the pair even showed off matching dance moves.
Genter, who is the Greens’ health and transport spokeswoman, said she had built up a close relationship with Ardern on the campaign trail.
“It’s been really fun being on the campaign with her. We get on really well and I’ve really appreciated it.
“Because we have very different portfolios, we don’t often run into each other at Parliament. We have really different areas of expertise and backgrounds, so it doesn’t feel like I’m in direct competition.”
Genter and Ardern have made a point of not attacking each other to show their parties can work together under their Memorandum of Understanding.
Genter said there were some subtle policy differences between the two parties. The Greens still wanted a capital gains tax to help make housing more affordable, while Labour has dropped the idea.
The Greens also want a rail line to the airport as soon as possible. Labour supports the idea, but wants to start with a rail line on Dominion Rd and develop it into airport rail over the longer term.
Ardern is the favourite to win the Mt Albert seat previously held by David Shearer, but Genter’s bid could still be a useful profilebuilding exercise.
On the day of the byelection, Green Party delegates will begin the list ranking process, and a strong showing could improve her chances of promotion.
Since entering Parliament in 2011 at 13th on the list, she has risen to seventh in the caucus rankings. She was given the lofty finance portfolio in 2015, though coleader James Shaw has now taken over that role. If Labour and the Greens come into power in September, the former transport consultant would be well placed to become Transport Minister. Asked what her ambitions are, Genter said: “I’d like to . . . get back into Parliament, and be Minister of Transport and maybe Associate Minister of Health.” Nearly 2600 people have voted so far in the byelection. The first results are expected to be announced around 7.30pm on Saturday.