Opposition picks ‘Crusher’ to challenge PM Ardern

AUCKLAND: New Zealand’s opposition party has installed a conservative veteran nicknamed “Crusher” as leader as it regroups for the daunting task of trying to oust Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a September election.

The centre-right National Party selected Judith Collins in a caucus vote late on Tuesday, hours after her predecessor Todd Muller unexpectedly quit, saying the pressure of the role was too much.

Ms Collins is best known to New Zealanders for a stint as police minister under previous prime minister John Key, when she earned her nickname “Crusher Collins” by bringing in a law allowing officers to confiscate and destroy the cars of illegal street racers.

The 61-year-old played up her tough image after being confirmed as leader, telling reporters: “I am hoping that the National Party can crush the other lot when it comes to Sept 19.”

Ms Collins admitted she faced a difficult task against Ms Ardern, whose centre-left Labour Party leads the National Party 50% to 38% in opinion polls.

“I love causes that are looking pretty tough, that’s when I tend to get really interested,” she told radio station Newstalk ZB.

“I obviously thought about whether or not I should put my hands up in the circumstances but I thought ... I can make a difference.”

A popular figure with the conservative wing, Ms Collins vowed to unify the party to present a strong challenge to Ms Ardern.

A new leader lifting her party from the doldrums to an unlikely victory is hardly unprecedented in New Zealand politics — Ms Ardern achieved a similar feat when she took over Labour less than two months out from the 2017 election.

In office, Ms Ardern has won widespread praise for a Covid-19 response that has limited New Zealand to just 22 deaths in a population of five million, a fact Ms Collins acknowledged.

“I think it’s important to give credit where it’s due,” she said.

“But at the same time, there is no chance at all that I’m going to let Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern get away with any nonsense when it comes to the economy and doing her job. We will hold her to account.”