The National Party’s victory in the New Zealand election marks a significant shift in political power and raises questions about the country’s environmental policies and commitment to addressing climate change.

In the recent New Zealand election, the opposition National Party emerged victorious, securing enough seats to form a coalition government with its right-wing allies. The incumbent Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins of the Labour Party, conceded defeat and congratulated National’s leader, Chris Luxon.

Luxon’s rapid rise in politics, becoming an MP in 2020 and National leader just a year later, is notable. The New Zealand Herald projected that National would win 50 seats with around 39% of the vote, giving them a slim majority in the 121-seat parliament when combined with Act’s 11 projected seats.

During his campaign, Luxon made several promises, including tax cuts for middle-income earners, a crackdown on youth offending, a ban on phones in schools, and the scrapping of the Labour government’s plan to raise fuel taxes. He emphasized his commitment to building the economy, delivering tax relief, bringing down the cost of living, restoring law and order, and improving healthcare and education.

However, the National-Act coalition’s slim majority may require Luxon to secure the support of NZ First, led by Winston Peters, who has been a kingmaker in previous coalitions. This potential alliance raises concerns about the future direction of New Zealand’s environmental policies.

Under the leadership of Jacinda Ardern, Labour secured an outright majority in the 2020 election, which was unprecedented in New Zealand’s proportional representation system. However, Labour has since lost support due to dissatisfaction over surging prices and the country’s long Covid lockdown.

The National Party’s victory and the potential change in government raise questions about New Zealand’s commitment to addressing climate change and implementing sustainable environmental policies. The country has been particularly affected by the slowing economy in China, its largest trade partner, and the war in Ukraine. The cost of living has also been a significant issue, leading to concerns about the prioritization of environmental issues.

As New Zealand wakes up to a new government and a new direction, it remains to be seen how Luxon and his coalition will approach environmental challenges. The final election result is scheduled to be declared on November 3rd, providing a clearer picture of the political landscape and its implications for environmental policies in New Zealand.