Latest news with #ChrisLynch
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Why New Zealand has turned on Jacinda Ardern - after her move to the United States
A New Zealand commentator has launched a scathing critique of former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, as she promotes her memoir and accompanying documentary A Different Kind of Power. Respected Christchurch-based journalist Chris Lynch took aim at Ms Ardern's international media tour, which has included high-profile appearances on the BBC and an interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying she was living in a 'parallel universe'. Ms Ardern resigned in January 2023 after six years as prime minister, and moved to the United States the same year where she has been based ever since. In the subsequent election her New Zealand Labour Party suffered a major defeat, with its share of the vote cut in half and the conservative National party forming a coalition government with the ACT Party and New Zealand First. During a recent appearance on New Zealand television Ms Ardern admitted that interviews conducted at home made her the most nervous. 'Every time I do a New Zealand interview, I message Clarke and say I'm feeling a bit squirmy,' she said, referring to her husband, Clarke Gayford who she married in 2024 following a five year engagement. Lynch described her admission as 'telling' in an opinion piece on his news site, arguing that Ms Ardern enjoys a far warmer reception abroad than she does at home. 'Abroad, she is met with applause. At home, she is remembered as the face of division and government overreach,' he wrote. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Lynch said there was a stark disconnect between Ardern's international image and her domestic legacy, calling it a 'parallel universe.' 'It's always fascinating to see Jacinda Ardern appear on American television shows, where they seem to fawn over her with almost mythical admiration,' he said. 'Perhaps she understands, on some level, that while she presents an image of compassion and unity to the world, many New Zealanders are still living with the consequences of the decisions her government made.' Lynch said Ms Ardern's memoir and tour were an attempt to rebrand herself with the assistance of an often fawning media that 'rarely questions her narrative.' 'Her memoir and media tour are not just about storytelling. They are a calculated attempt to reshape her reputation,' he said. 'Ardern wants to be remembered as a unifier. But many recall her leadership as defined by control, exclusion, and distrust.' He criticised Ms Ardern's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that New Zealand's harsh lockdown rules were sold under a false message of kindness. '"Be Kind" became a national slogan. In practice, it meant "do not question". Millions of dollars were spent on communication campaigns, compliance measures, and policing so-called disinformation.' he said. Lynch was also critical of those interviewing Ms Ardern for heaping praise on the former PM rather than asking tough questions about her time in office. 'Under Ardern's leadership, the New Zealand Bill of Rights was breached. Police were given authority to enter homes without a warrant,' he said. 'Courts found aspects of her government's pandemic response unlawful. None of this gets mentioned during her international interviews.' 'The vaccine rollout became a symbol of coercion. Many lined up not out of trust in the science, but out of fear of losing their jobs. When asked in 2021 about creating a two-tier society, Ardern replied, 'That is what it is'.' 'Those words should never be forgotten. Nor should the rules that followed, rules that restricted movement, participation, and access to basic services, all sold under the soft message of kindness.' The Royal Commission of Inquiry is looking into the nation's Covid response with a final report due next year, and Ms Ardern's lockdowns and vaccine mandates are still fresh in the minds of many New Zealanders. Ms Ardern's wedding in Hawke's Bay last year picketed by anti-vaccine protesters holding 'death signs'. Another solo demonstrator was seen outside the property with a placard reading 'lest we forget jab mandates'. Lynch said Ms Ardern was squarely to blame for dividing the nation. 'But if Jacinda Ardern writes another memoir, a more appropriate title might be The Authoritarian: How I Left New Zealand Divided and in a Mess,' he said. 'Her defenders often cry misogyny when she is criticised. 'Yes, women in politics face abuse. That does not mean all criticism is sexist. Where were those defenders when women on the political right were vilified? Nowhere. Because the issue was never gender. It was ideology. 'For all the praise overseas, she knows her standing here is unresolved.' As for why Labour fell out of favour with New Zealand voters just two years after a landslide win, University of Auckland Politics and International Relations expert Grant Duncan offered his reasoning. He pointed to prolonged lockdowns in Auckland in 2021, strict border closures, managed isolation facilities, and vaccine mandates as key factors. 'The Ardern government's initial success in dealing with Covid-19 turned into a headwind as a prolonged lockdown in Auckland in 2021, border closures, MIQ facilities and vaccine mandates became increasingly irritating, if not infuriating, for many people – and not just for the extreme anti-vaxxers,' he said. Economic pressures also played a role. 'Inflation was a predictable result of pandemic fiscal stimulus, exacerbated by supply-chain disruptions and Putin's invasion of Ukraine,' Mr Duncan added. The next New Zealand election must be held no later than December of 2026, with early opinion polls showing the National-led coalition government narrowly ahead.
Kiwiblog
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Kiwiblog
RIP Roger Bridge
Chris Lynch reports: Roger Bridge, a much loved, and long-serving member of the National Party and former chair of its Canterbury West Coast region, has died. Bridge was widely respected within party circles for his dedication, loyalty, and tireless commitment to regional organisation and grassroots politics. … Brownlee said he was 'Always impeccably dress and devoted to jaguars. He was a most loyal friend for more than 30 years. 'His generosity was legendary and many will atest to that. He was on the first working group as a church appointee on the original Cathedral restoration committee. After a time as regional vice chair he became our national party regional chair in 2001 and joined the party board in 2003 serving in both rolls to 2020. I knew Roger well. I attended uncountable conferences with Roger, and numerous dinners and drinks. He was a huge supporter of local MPs and party members. Good friend Kate Freeman writes: Farewell, dear Rog. A true old-school Canterbury gentleman; generous to a fault, and oh so wickedly such good fun. … Over that time he navigated candidates and MPs, Ministers and Prime Ministers through mazes of political issues and of course the Canterbury earthquakes. He caused the odd stir too as many political players do. But he was so much more than a wiley political operator, businessman and philanthropist. He was a friend. His door was never closed over those years. He didn't bat an eyelid at piling a newborn Amelia into the back of his beautiful new Jaguar for letterbox dropping. Or hesitate to offer you a bed to stay if you were in town. And without fail, he was a willing dining companion. His generosity was legendary. But perhaps equally splendid was his library. He was ridiculously well read. I once suggested to him that if I were to have a mental breakdown then I'd rather like to have it in his apartment and park up in one of his ample leather armchairs and make my way through his library. It was stunning! It was a boy's library, perfect for political junkies who love global affairs. He felt there was no need to have a breakdown to wait to enjoy it. And he'd have meant it. Kate describes him so well. He will be missed by so many.
