Jacinda Ardern sets September 19 as election date

Tuesday, 28 January 2020 09:31

New Zealanders will head to the polls in September to choose their prime minister.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who is seeking a second term.

"I will be asking New Zealanders to continue to support my leadership and the current direction of the government which is grounded in stability, a strong economy and progress on the long term challenges facing New Zealand," she said.

The 39-year-old was widely commended for tightening gun laws after last year's Christchurch mosque attack, and even won praise for her views on women’s rights, climate change and diversity. But her government has faced criticism in sectors like housing, urban poverty, immigration, jobs and economic growth.

More from International News

Britain working with allies to support shipping through Strait of Hormuz

Britain is working with allies on a range of options to support commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in the face of Iranian threats, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said on Tuesday as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran roils oil prices.
Five Iranian women's soccer players granted humanitarian visas in Australia

Australia on Tuesday granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women soccer players after they sought asylum, fearing persecution on their return home for their refusal to sing the national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Almost 700,000 displaced after Israeli strikes on Lebanon, UN agencies say

The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has deepened amid the wider Middle East war, with 84 children killed and more than 667,000 people displaced, two UN agencies said on Tuesday.
Iran fighting back but not stronger than U.S. thought, top U.S. general says

Iran is fighting back but is not tougher than the U.S. military expected before the war, the top U.S. general told reporters on Tuesday, as the Pentagon promised its most intense day of strikes in the 10-day-old conflict.