I am seriously impressed

[whyBish]

[right][snapback]101618[/snapback][/right]

While the Green party was part of government last term(well, technically it wasn't part of the government, but provided support in exchange for policy concessions), it has been shafted in preference of parties to the centre-right in the current term.

In the last election Nandor didn't actually get elected to office. He missed out on his seat from the party vote (by one). It wasn't until Rod Donald, the green party co-leader died ( a few months ago) that he got in as a replacement.

But I did say that you'd like it over here, didn't I? :)

Another impressive politician is our current prime minister Helen Clark. Her portfolio is the arts (and has been for the last 6 or so years). Her arts policies have been part of the reason you see a large number of films coming out of the country, and her introduction of local music quotas for radio has lead to a really vibrant music scene.

Unfortunately we also have some bad politicians:
Winston Peters (Currently minister of foreign affairs :blink: ) (Charismatic ex lawyer that appeals to the elderly by things such as being anti-(asian/muslim)immigration. This guy is really something to watch, and is dangerously Hitleresque in his ability to make bad things sound positive. Has frikken annoying deflective skills so that he is never pinned down on any promises (being a lawyer he is very specific in his terminology, but is well aware of the way that his words will be interpreted by the public))
Michael Cullen (Currently Finance minister) Makes moronic statements with no grounds in economics. Consistently ignores treasury advice and the reserve bank.

But hey, overall it is good to have a system with real multi-party politics rather than a personality based duality. A good example is the newly created Maori party which got four(?) seats in the last election just a few months after it was created in response to some oppressive legislation (Note:Foreshore and seabed legislation - violates some UN convention) and almost held the balance of power.