This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-29201787

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Is New Zealand's political cycle too short? Is New Zealand's political cycle too short?
(about 2 hours later)
How short is too short - or long - between elections? New Zealand voters go to the polls on Saturday three years after last choosing a government.How short is too short - or long - between elections? New Zealand voters go to the polls on Saturday three years after last choosing a government.
For opposition politicians, three years can seem like an eternity. But for those in power, it can be over in the blink of an eye.For opposition politicians, three years can seem like an eternity. But for those in power, it can be over in the blink of an eye.
New Zealand is one of a handful of countries to have a three-year political term. It is five years in countries like the UK, Canada and India and four years in Germany and South Korea.New Zealand is one of a handful of countries to have a three-year political term. It is five years in countries like the UK, Canada and India and four years in Germany and South Korea.
US presidents serve four-year terms while senators serve six years. But it is a two-year term in New Zealand's House of Representatives, one of the shortest in the world. US presidents serve four-year terms while senators serve six years. But it is a two-year term in the American House of Representatives, one of the shortest in the world.
"The idea that a ropey government can be gotten rid of after three years is pretty attractive," said John Roughan, political commentator and author of "John Key, Portrait of a Prime Minister"."The idea that a ropey government can be gotten rid of after three years is pretty attractive," said John Roughan, political commentator and author of "John Key, Portrait of a Prime Minister".
Referenda on longer terms have been held in 1967 and 1990. Both times, two-thirds of the public voted no.Referenda on longer terms have been held in 1967 and 1990. Both times, two-thirds of the public voted no.
At a pre-election debate, New Zealand's Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce complained of "unfinished business". "You've had six years, Steven!" tweeted political blogger David Cormack of The Ruminator.At a pre-election debate, New Zealand's Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce complained of "unfinished business". "You've had six years, Steven!" tweeted political blogger David Cormack of The Ruminator.
'Move fast''Move fast'
Mr Joyce belongs to the National Party-led coalition that's been in power for two terms.Mr Joyce belongs to the National Party-led coalition that's been in power for two terms.
Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark - who held office from 1999 to 2008 - told Australia's The Bottom Line interview series in April that three-year terms meant hitting the ground running.Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark - who held office from 1999 to 2008 - told Australia's The Bottom Line interview series in April that three-year terms meant hitting the ground running.
"If you don't move fast in the first year then you're not going to have a lot to show for it at the end of the third," she said."If you don't move fast in the first year then you're not going to have a lot to show for it at the end of the third," she said.
Last February, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and other party leaders voiced support for a four-year term.Last February, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and other party leaders voiced support for a four-year term.
The Constitutional Advisory Panel's report, which was released last December, noted "a reasonable amount of support for a longer term" but this meant that additional checks and balances such as reintroducing an upper house, would need to be explored.The Constitutional Advisory Panel's report, which was released last December, noted "a reasonable amount of support for a longer term" but this meant that additional checks and balances such as reintroducing an upper house, would need to be explored.
If given the choice between four years and an upper house, or sticking with three years, most New Zealanders would opt for the status quo, said Raymond Miller, a political scientist from the University of Auckland.If given the choice between four years and an upper house, or sticking with three years, most New Zealanders would opt for the status quo, said Raymond Miller, a political scientist from the University of Auckland.
"The attitude towards politicians in New Zealand is the fewer the better," he said."The attitude towards politicians in New Zealand is the fewer the better," he said.
There are no plans - yet - for another referendum. "In an election year, it is a New Zealand convention that governments do not announce or make substantial constitutional change," said a justice department spokesman. Any further work would be up to a future government.There are no plans - yet - for another referendum. "In an election year, it is a New Zealand convention that governments do not announce or make substantial constitutional change," said a justice department spokesman. Any further work would be up to a future government.
'Short-term strategy''Short-term strategy'
The short election cycle appeals to many as it's a chance to deliver a verdict on those in power, said Jack Vowles, a professor of comparative politics at the Victoria University of Wellington.The short election cycle appeals to many as it's a chance to deliver a verdict on those in power, said Jack Vowles, a professor of comparative politics at the Victoria University of Wellington.
One hundred and thirty-five years ago, this same thinking led New Zealand to shorten its parliamentary term from five years to three, in order to increase voter control over the central government.One hundred and thirty-five years ago, this same thinking led New Zealand to shorten its parliamentary term from five years to three, in order to increase voter control over the central government.
"Today, the argument is that three years is not long enough for governments to do what they want or need to do. But I'm desperately trying to think of any government in the past 50 years that was in any way seriously constrained by the three-year term," said Prof Vowles."Today, the argument is that three years is not long enough for governments to do what they want or need to do. But I'm desperately trying to think of any government in the past 50 years that was in any way seriously constrained by the three-year term," said Prof Vowles.
"In the 1980s, Labour was able to effect a revolution in economic and social policy. It won a second term after introducing unpopular policies such as goods and services tax and removing subsidies from farming. So what's the actual problem here?""In the 1980s, Labour was able to effect a revolution in economic and social policy. It won a second term after introducing unpopular policies such as goods and services tax and removing subsidies from farming. So what's the actual problem here?"
Mr Key himself played it safe for much of his first term between 2008 - 2011.Mr Key himself played it safe for much of his first term between 2008 - 2011.
"He built a reputation for sound economic management during the global financial crisis," said Prof Miller. "The domestic crises that hit - the Pike River Mine disaster and the Christchurch earthquakes - also made him appear as a safe pair of hands at a difficult time.""He built a reputation for sound economic management during the global financial crisis," said Prof Miller. "The domestic crises that hit - the Pike River Mine disaster and the Christchurch earthquakes - also made him appear as a safe pair of hands at a difficult time."
But when election year dawned, Mr Key announced that National would - if granted a second term - partially sell state-owned enterprises such as power companies and Air New Zealand.But when election year dawned, Mr Key announced that National would - if granted a second term - partially sell state-owned enterprises such as power companies and Air New Zealand.
"It was brave and new for New Zealand," said Mr Roughan. "At no stage have any previous governments put privatisations to the electorate before doing it. Labour thought Christmas had arrived and planned its whole campaign around 'no asset sales' and Key got re-elected. He's got good instincts for what's going to shift votes and what won't.""It was brave and new for New Zealand," said Mr Roughan. "At no stage have any previous governments put privatisations to the electorate before doing it. Labour thought Christmas had arrived and planned its whole campaign around 'no asset sales' and Key got re-elected. He's got good instincts for what's going to shift votes and what won't."
Mr Roughan equated this to Mr Key's previous career in foreign exchange markets. "You've got to know which events are going to shift currency and which won't," he said.Mr Roughan equated this to Mr Key's previous career in foreign exchange markets. "You've got to know which events are going to shift currency and which won't," he said.
Prof Vowles agreed. "Currency trading is all about managing the moment. It's short-term strategy and that's John Key," he said.Prof Vowles agreed. "Currency trading is all about managing the moment. It's short-term strategy and that's John Key," he said.
"He doesn't have a long-term strategy, he doesn't think in those terms. He and [Finance Minister] Bill English have run a competent government over a period of economic difficulty in a way which hasn't inflicted too much pain on ordinary New Zealanders. That's a fairly major achievement.""He doesn't have a long-term strategy, he doesn't think in those terms. He and [Finance Minister] Bill English have run a competent government over a period of economic difficulty in a way which hasn't inflicted too much pain on ordinary New Zealanders. That's a fairly major achievement."
"On the other hand, there are a lot of issues they're sweeping under the carpet," Prof Vowles added, citing climate change, high levels of personal debt and the economy's reliance on selling powdered milk to China."On the other hand, there are a lot of issues they're sweeping under the carpet," Prof Vowles added, citing climate change, high levels of personal debt and the economy's reliance on selling powdered milk to China.
A third term?A third term?
Much of what Mr Key does is informed by polling and focus groups, says Prof Vowles. He sees this as fitting in what is arguably the world's first representative democracy - Maori and women both got the vote in the 19th Century.Much of what Mr Key does is informed by polling and focus groups, says Prof Vowles. He sees this as fitting in what is arguably the world's first representative democracy - Maori and women both got the vote in the 19th Century.
"New Zealand has always been a very democratic country. We like our politicians to be thinking about the next election.""New Zealand has always been a very democratic country. We like our politicians to be thinking about the next election."
A third term seems likely for Mr Key. His party has been hovering around the 50% mark since June, according to Radio New Zealand's Poll of Polls, double that of the rival Labour Party.A third term seems likely for Mr Key. His party has been hovering around the 50% mark since June, according to Radio New Zealand's Poll of Polls, double that of the rival Labour Party.
Not even last month's publication of the book "Dirty Politics", with its allegations of smear campaigns, had dented the National Party's lead.Not even last month's publication of the book "Dirty Politics", with its allegations of smear campaigns, had dented the National Party's lead.
On Monday, internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom - who funds the Internet-Mana party contesting the election - hosted an event in Auckland to, he said, expose Mr Key's "lies" about the mass state surveillance of New Zealanders. The allegations drew on whistleblower Edward Snowden's trove of classified documents.On Monday, internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom - who funds the Internet-Mana party contesting the election - hosted an event in Auckland to, he said, expose Mr Key's "lies" about the mass state surveillance of New Zealanders. The allegations drew on whistleblower Edward Snowden's trove of classified documents.
Mr Key countered with the release of previously secret government documents, which he said showed the cyber security activities of the Government Communications Security Bureau - New Zealand's NSA or GCHQ - did not "remotely resemble" the claimed spying efforts.Mr Key countered with the release of previously secret government documents, which he said showed the cyber security activities of the Government Communications Security Bureau - New Zealand's NSA or GCHQ - did not "remotely resemble" the claimed spying efforts.
Will last-minute revelations be a game changer? Prof Miller suspects not. His research suggests at least six in 10 voters have long since decided who to back.Will last-minute revelations be a game changer? Prof Miller suspects not. His research suggests at least six in 10 voters have long since decided who to back.
"Mr Key has been building a bank of goodwill with voters for some time and they just don't associate him with whatever has gone on.""Mr Key has been building a bank of goodwill with voters for some time and they just don't associate him with whatever has gone on."
And, in the past 40 years, New Zealand has largely settled into a pattern of allowing its prime ministers three terms before deciding it's time to fetch their coats.And, in the past 40 years, New Zealand has largely settled into a pattern of allowing its prime ministers three terms before deciding it's time to fetch their coats.
"All governments have a life cycle. That's the problem with a three-year term. By the third term, the wheels are turning much more slowly," said Prof Miller."All governments have a life cycle. That's the problem with a three-year term. By the third term, the wheels are turning much more slowly," said Prof Miller.
Whether Mr Key will be given a chance to find out - and to act on his wish for a four-year cycle - will be decided on Saturday.Whether Mr Key will be given a chance to find out - and to act on his wish for a four-year cycle - will be decided on Saturday.