Prime Minister John Key has announced September 20 will be the date for the 2014 General Election.
Shortly before 2 pm trading on the iPredict predictions market spiked and the chances of a September 20 election jumped from 14% to 95% within an hour.
Key announced the date at his weekly post-cabinet news conference.
"I'm announcing the election date well in advance as I believe this gives New Zealanders some certainty and is in the country's best interests," Key said.
National will be campaigning on its strong record in Government and its plans to continue the good progress New Zealand is making over the next three years.
Key said he had advised the Governor General yesterday of the day and advised National MPs and National's support partners ACT, United Future and Maori earlier in the afternoon.
Parliament would rise on July 31 and be formally dissolved on August 14, leaving a 4-6 week election campaign.
Writ day will follow on Wednesday 20 August, and nomination day will be Tuesday 26 August.
An early Spring election would be the first to be held in September since 2005. The previous elections in 2008 and 2011 were held in November.
Key said he wanted to give any Government and post-election Prime Minister time to attend the G20 leaders meeting in Brisbane on November 18-20.
He said he would make a speech at Victoria University on Tuesday about a flag referendum and Finance Minister Bill English would make further announcements about the expected Genesis Energy float on Thursday.
Reaction
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters said his party was ready for the election.
Earlier Key had suggested one option would be for National to lead a minority Government where New Zealand First abstained on matters of confidence and supply, but did not necessarily join the government.
“We believe the country will welcome the early election date because hope is finally within sight," Peters said.
“We’re mindful of the Prime Minister spending much of his post-cabinet briefing talking about New Zealand First to the press gallery, but we note that he’s never talked to us," Peters said.
“As we have done for the last twenty years, New Zealand First is going to listen to the New Zealand voters, not political speculation, or wasted air and print time,” he said.
(Updated with confirmation of date, more details, reaction)
15 Comments
194 days to go as leader .... your days are numbered mate .... 194 days , enjoy them if you can .... tick tick tick ... the sand is drifting out of the time piece ( stoopid Swatch watches ! ) .... 194 days , then you're dog tucker , pal ....
... after September 20 , David Cunliffe's out , and Labour will have to look for a new sacrifice to shove up against our amazingly popular PM , John Key !
... I'd give Jacinda Ardern a crack at the Labour party leadership after .... oooops , sorry .... I mean " if " Cunny blows the next election .... she's smart , amiable , looks great , and unlike the others , was born sometime after the Titanic sank ....
Check out the Labour MPs , not alot of rejuvenation since the days of Clark & Cullen ....
.... wakey wakey Labour .... gets some news faces in there , fresh ideas , you're too old & stodgey to resonate with us younger voters ...
Whichever party wins the next election will be accepting a poison chalice, as the physical fundamentals driving the economies has changed. I suspect there's not going to be a lot any party can do if more 'growth' is their aim.
Funnily enough we are now in 2014 and the global economy hasn't restarted as people predicted first in 2009, then in 2010, then in 2011, then in 2012 and finally last year in 2013 (does anyone see a pattern yet?). If this period represents the plateau of energy production then I hate to think what the downslope will look like once that kicks into gear within the next decade. Money printing and low interest rates can only mask the fundamentals for a limited time.
Although many don't / won't listen, the best thing to do is to get your own affairs in order and prepare to make your family more resilient to external shocks. Very interesting times.
I thought that last time when HC lost. (wow 6 years) Yet really it hasnt impacted on National's 2 terms, has it? At least in terms of public consciousness for Peak oil etc ie few voters are asking the hard Qs. So far its, we want to "drill baby drill" so lets dump the RMA and every other trick they can think of.
2009~2013 etc, yep agree, Im in order as far as I can. This is one of the points ppl just dont get, the time aspect, 25 year, even 30 year mortgages that assume BAU. In 5 years Ive made the best I can yet I still have mortgage debt. Meanwhile most ppl around me seem to be using their houses as ATMs to buy cars and putting kids through Uni etc, and look at me funny when I refuse to increase debt. In fact a disturbing number grin like imbeciles, thinking Im mad.
"Very interesting times" yes indeed, there is going to be a lot of wailing, and that is just the good part.
regards
Will look forward to the parties presenting their policies on immigration. I would challenge anyone outside the building industry to present any clear benefits of any more immigration -especially for a place like AKL. Traffic, health, education is under stress. I need to get some of the bumper stickers I see in Perth - "F$@K Off - we are full"
If NZ First play the immigration angle then anyone struggling to get a 1st home, fighting the daily traffic, joining the medical lists or viewing the struggles schools are having will have a place to make their vote count. If they don't do it at this election then no one afterwards have a right to complain.
I half suspect John Key will welcome a visible reliance on a party like NZ First. If restrictions are imposed to keep NZ First on side he has some one to blame to NZs major export market whose leaders will probably be a bit miffed if we say we will take your money but could you send your families seeking a bail out destination some where else please.
100% united. What a country.?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/9813471/Every-North-Korean-votes-for-…
Still, we cannot complain, we have a similar arrangement.
I scratch your back, you vote for me. And Winnie can vouch for whoever gives the biggest bribe.
Then the handouts begin.
And here are some of the largest.
http://www.interest.co.nz/property/68888/reinz-says-house-price-inflati…
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