Comment: Rather like the language of love and marriage, the idiom of government has changed. But as the morning after the election dawned, it became apparent the results would force him to negotiate with both Act and NZ First. Since then, with the signing of new deals with both parties, even some of the commitments have disappeared. No more foreign buyers tax. Doubts about the Waikato University medical school, the locked-and-loaded trade deal with India, and the EV charger network.
The climate change minister relegated to a seat outside Cabinet. And of course, a u-turn on the so-called App Tax on overseas tech giants like Uber and Airbnb, to level the playing field for local businesses.
The party has not responded to questions. As it gained momentum, it also attracted headlines. In there was criticism of its sponsorship of the Rhythm and Vines music festival. Chen responded by paying for a sponsored content article on the media site Stuff, claiming that the renegade, commitment-free dating app had resonated worldwide, thanks to its honest approach about getting kinky in the bedroom. It claims to have 15 million users.
He wants to see more support for businesses, in particular for startups. The new Government has promised to bring back 90 day trials for new employees, introducing a law by Christmas. The company hired an open-top double-decker bus in Los Angeles, with a digital billboard running the entire length of its side, and shot a social promo video there.
In London, there were billboards, hoardings and wildcat postering. But the three governing parties have already redefined a coalition relationship. Well, it seems that in the end all three leaders found their match in a historic three-way relationship.
