Prime Minister Bill English says the so-called “Jacinda effect” is the explanation for Labour’s huge gains in the latest polls.
English told Newstalk ZB’s Chris Lynch this morning he isn’t worried about Jacinda Ardern’s startling increase in the preferred prime minister Newshub-Reid Research poll.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE Ardern rose 17.6 per cent to 26.3 per cent – only just below English on 27.7 per cent. “The preferred prime minister rating is just part of a package … really what has happened in the last round of polling is Labour have re-gathered up votes they had lost to New Zealand First and, particularly to the Greens. “I’m quite happy that we have the right team, the set of policies, a great campaign, and we are going to be working hard to lift our support.” Asked if Labour’s improved result was down to the “Jacinda effect”, English said “that is the explanation”. “They were losing a lot of votes to New Zealand First and to the Greens…under MMP you have to get to 51 per cent. However the votes are shuffled around among those three parties, the election was always going to be tight.” English said on current polling a change of government would require Labour, the Greens and New Zealand First to get together. “We have to lift our levels of support to get a good government after the election."

Christchurch City Council head of parks Andrew Rutledge talks to Chris Lynch about discussions over how to better regulate commercial use of public parks

Exercise New Zealand Chief Executive Richard Beddie talks with Chris Lynch about the possibility of commercial users of public parks being charged a fee by the Christchurch City Council

Otago University International Relations expert Robert Patman talks with Chris Lynch about the increasing tensions between North Korea and the United States

Christchurch YMCA CEO Josie Ogden Schroeder talks with Chris Lynch about the premier tonight of a local documentary about the state of alternative education in New Zealand Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.nziff.co.nz/2017/christchurch/one-island-of-good/

Lawyer Grant Cameron talks with Chris Lynch about the interim decision from Court of Appeal in relation to the Quake Outcasts case

Green Party MP and new Chief Whip, Eugenie Sage, talks to Chris Lynch about the drama erupting within the Green Party.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE

Former Green Party MP Sue Bradford talks to Chris Lynch about the current drama within the Green Party, and her hope the rest of the MP's get behind Metiria Turei.
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Political commentator Dr Bryce Edwards says changing leaders at the last minute looks desperate and unstable - something New Zealanders don't like.
But he says Labour's clearly decided it's a risk worth taking.
Dr Edwards told Chris Lynch if Jacinda Ardern becomes Labour leader, she'll likely do much better when it comes to connecting with New Zealanders.
And he said she reflects the fresh approach Labour's wanting to push.
"Whereas Andrew Little looked a bit old and tired. I don't mean about his age, but he didn't really have that dynamism going about him, so I think Jacinda Ardern will be able to change that story a wee bit."
LISTEN ABOVE AS BRYCE EDWARDS SPEAKS WITH CHRIS LYNCH

Jim Bolger, the 35th Prime Minister of New Zealand, speaks with Newstalk ZB's Chris Lynch after joining with Helen Clark, Mike Moore and Sir Geoffrey Palmer in calling on New Zealand to take in more refugees.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE