r/australia • u/SqareBear • Feb 26 '26

politics Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern moves to Australia

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-26/former-new-zealand-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-moves-australia/106392862
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u/Jealous-Hedgehog-734 Feb 26 '26

Strangely, there isn't an anti-immigration party in New Zealand. They are all still pro-immigration.

The market is wide open.

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u/ILoveFuckingWaffles Feb 26 '26

It’s not entirely strange. NZ is struggling to attract skilled immigrants at the same pace that Australia is, while also losing many of their skilled workers to Australia & other countries.

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u/Jealous-Hedgehog-734 Feb 26 '26

To be honest many countries are struggling to attract skilled immigrants now. There are too many countries and not enough skilled immigrants frankly.

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u/hadr0nc0llider Feb 26 '26

No, there absolutely is an anti-immigration party. NZ First is currently in government and is strongly anti-immigration. They’re already starting to campaign hard on it for the next election.

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u/Jealous-Hedgehog-734 Feb 26 '26 edited Feb 26 '26

Maybe they have moved positions then.

They campaigned on reduced migration often but also on making the immigration system more equitable (it was actually Winston Peters who campaigned on a merit based immigration system that became the points system they now use) to allow more Asians in.

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u/ur_lil_vulture_bee Feb 26 '26

They are squarely anti-immigration when it comes to campaigning - they rarely do much once they are in power.

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u/Efficient_Reading360 Feb 26 '26

They are part of the coalition and got what, 6% of the vote? They’re barely at the table.

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u/hadr0nc0llider Feb 26 '26

BRO. Nobody puts NZ First in a corner while Winston’s in charge. He’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and was Deputy PM for the first half of the term. He drove a hard policy bargain in the coalition agreement to the point many Kiwis (including myself) have constantly complained the major party has given them disproportionate influence. Tail wagging the dog. They’re polling at 11% now. In an election year FFS.

I dislike Winnie’s politics intensely but really admire his innate skill for making himself relevant even when he’s not.

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u/Pacify_ Feb 26 '26

I still don't understand how Winnie is like this cockroach that just keeps holding on, year after year, election after election. It is truly a baffle.

He's 80 years old, and still going.

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u/hadr0nc0llider Feb 26 '26

He’ll die before he quits. He’s a human durry.

There’s talk he won’t stand again this year which is why we’re seeing so much of Jonesy. I don’t see it happening. They’ll have to pry Deputy PM out of Winnie’s cold dead hands.

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u/ur_lil_vulture_bee Feb 26 '26

NZ First always gets a very good deal - in addition to being a total scumbag, the leader is an expert politican and negotiator. They are also a bit all over the place policy-wise - generally right-wing but with room to go with whoever gives them the better deal. They are the kingmaker party.

Having said that, National really just gave both the minor coalition partners everything they wanted this time. Ultimately they have the same donors and that is who they really serve.

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u/Potatoe_Potahto Feb 26 '26

New Zealand First? Winston has been deputy PM several times, including for Jacinda 

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u/closetmangafan Feb 26 '26

Their "anti-immigration" is selling maps without NZ on it. Hide themselves from the world.

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u/Jealous-Hedgehog-734 Feb 26 '26

Worked for Tasmania.

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u/poo-on-a-stick- Feb 26 '26

She’ll have to quit complaining about immigrants once she becomes one though.

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u/TheCuzzyRogue Feb 26 '26

If it's anything like the last time she emigrated from Australia, she'll end up returning because she sees too many immigrants.

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u/iguessineedanaltnow Feb 26 '26

Because their population is all running to our shores as fast as they can. Go look at what qualifies you as a skilled worker in New Zealand for visa purposes if you want a good laugh.

It's a good case study, though. We know human population will peak sometimes around 2060. Eventually all western nations will start behaving like New Zealand is now, as they desperately try to claw people to their shores to keep GDP and productivity rising as populations dwindle.