The Manila Times

NZealand opposition selects first Maori leader

- AFP PHOTO AFP

New Zealand’s opposi Maori leader on Tuesday, selecting 41-year-old former lawyer Simon Bridges for the top job as it looks to reinvigora­te its image after losing last year’s “Jacinda-mania” election.

Bridges campaigned on a platform of generation­al change after former prime minister Bill English, 56, announced earlier this month that he was leaving the conservati­ve party.

National had faced calls to revamp its leadership after losing last year’s general election to the center- left Labor Party, led by 37-year-old Jacinda Ardern.

The son of a Baptist minister, Bridges has described his family as “deeply religious” and he unsuccessf­ully voted against allowing gay marriage in 2013.

He spoke to Maori TV before the vote about the importance of his indigenous roots.

“It’s a part of what makes me and I hope Maori New Zealand- ers see that and are excited about that,” he said.

“It shows them that actually they can achieve and they can do interestin­g things with their lives and there’s a lot of opportunit­y in this country.”

Bridges won a leadership ballot of National’s 56 lawmakers by an undisclose­d majority, with Paula Bennett retaining her position of deputy leader.

He said he would hold Ardern and her government to account, accusing it of “muddling along.”

“[It] is big on lofty intentions, but struggling to turn that into real gains for New Zealanders,” he said.

“That’s why we will continue to present an ambitious and strong alternativ­e government, heading into 2020 [elections].”

Bridges, a former prosecutor, was elected to parliament in 2008 and had stints as communicat­ions, economic developmen­t and transport minister when National was

 ??  ?? CHILLY WALK A woman walks her dog through thick flurry of snow in Aalborg, Denmark on Tuesday. WELLINGTON:
CHILLY WALK A woman walks her dog through thick flurry of snow in Aalborg, Denmark on Tuesday. WELLINGTON:

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