• New Zealand Regions
      • Hawke's Bay
      • Bay of Plenty
      • Waikato
      • Whanganui
      • Manawatu
      • Northland
      • Auckland
      • Gisborne
      • Taranaki
      • Wellington
      • West Coast
      • Nelson
      • Canterbury
      • Otago
      • Marlborough
      • Southland
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      Hawke's Bay

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      Beaches, wineries and Art Deco. The Hawke's Bay has a diverse economy, including business services that support its sectors to be the second largest contributor to regional GDP in the country. A popular tourist destination, the region has some of the countries best restaurants as well as stunning scenery, markets and festivals.

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      Bay of Plenty

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      The Bay of Plenty is officially New Zealand's sunniest destination, enjoying short-lived winters and long summer days. The Region offers some of the country's most spectacular views and many ways to enjoy the pristine scenery and natural wonders. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Bay's Māori heritage and pre-European roots.

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      OpotikiOpotiki iSiteKawerauWhakatane

      Waikato

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      The Waikato is known for its rolling plains, fertile land and the mighty Waikato River. The region is the fourth largest regional economy in New Zealand, with a strong focus on primary production and associated manufacturing.

      Districts

      South WaikatoWaikato District

      Whanganui

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      Welcome to Whanganui. This is our place; where history is full of stories, legends and rich legacy. Where a thriving arts scene, creativity and evolving culture inspire our modern lives. Where breath-taking natural landscapes capture imaginations at every turn.

      Manawatu

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      Located in the lower North Island, Manawatu is heartland New Zealand, offering an authentic Kiwi experience.

      The main in the region are Palmerston North, most notable for Massey University. Palmerston has a vibrant, arts and culture scene.

      The region's economy is based on food production and processing, research and education. The region is also home for the New Zealand defence force.

      Northland

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      Northland was originally home to some of our country's first human inhabitants. Today, it is one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand and home to nearly 189,000 people. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a stunning natural environment.

      Auckland

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      Auckland Region stretches from the the beaches of the Pacific Ocean in the east to the expansive beaches of the rugged west coast of the Tasman Sea. Auckland City, the largest urban area in New Zealand is considered the main economic center of New Zealand and a popular destination for international students and travellers.

      Gisborne

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      Gisborne is a Region on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It's known for wineries and surf beaches such as Makorori. The region has maintained a strong Maori heritage. The region's economy is made up mainly of agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

      Taranaki

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      Taranaki is a coastal and mountainous region on the western side of New Zealand's North Island. Its landscape is dominated by Mount Taranaki, its namesake volcano, which lies within the rainforested Egmont National Park.

      The port city of New Plymouth is the area's cultural and commercial hub. Taranaki's economy is diverse and includes dairy, oil and gas. The region is the highest contributor or national GDP per capita. 

      Wellington

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      The Wellington Region covers Wellington city in the south, Upper and Lower Hutt valleys to the north-east, and Porirua to the north-west. The region takes its name from Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.

      Wellington is famous for its arts and culture scene and is also the centre of New Zealand's film industry.

      West Coast

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      The West Coast, or as some locals call it, the "Wild West", is a long thin region that runs down the South Island's west coast.

      The region has the lowest population in all of New Zealand. It is famous for its rugged natural scenery such as the Pancake Rocks, the Blue Pools of Haast, and the glaciers.

      The main industries in the region are dairy farming and mining. Tourism also plays an important role.

      Nelson – Tasman

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      Nelson Tasman is an extraordinary, vibrant region where art and businesses thrive together among a stunning natural landscape. With one in five people internationally born, Nelson Tasman has 48 different cultures living in its environs.

      The region prides its self on being New Zealand’s leading Research and Development areas, with the highest proportion of people working in the research, science and tech sectors out of anywhere in New Zealand.

      Canterbury

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      Canterbury is a region on New Zealand’s South Island marked by grassy plains, clear lakes and snow-capped mountains. Its largest city, Christchurch, is famed for its art scene and green spaces.

      Otago

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      There are few places in the world which will leave you with a lasting sense of difference. Central Otago is undoubtedly one of them from its landscapes, its seasons, its people, its products and experiences.

      Marlborough

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      Marlborough Region is on the north-eastern corner of the South Island. The region is well known for its winemaking industry, and the Marlborough Sounds, an extensive network of coastal waterways, peninsulas and islands.

      Apart from the wine industry, aquaculture, agriculture and tourism play an important role in the local economy.

      Southland

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      Southland is New Zealand’s most southerly region and includes the World Heritage ranked Fiordland National Park.

      The region's only city Invercargill offers a relaxed pace of life with wide streets, little traffic, spacious parks and gardens, striking Victorian and Edwardian architecture and impressive sporting facilities including New Zealand’s first indoor velodrome. Southland's location is such that views of Aurora Australis or the Southern Lights are common.

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Former MPs recall the introduction of MMP in New Zealand

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Today marks the 25th anniversary of the first ever MMP election in New Zealand, the biggest change to the country’s electoral system since women were given the right to vote more than a century ago.

That’s Wal of Footrot Flats fame in 1996, practising something New Zealanders were about to do for the first time – put two ticks on their ballot paper.

The cartoon’s creator Murray Ball had been brought in by the Electoral Commission to help explain the newfangled system MMP – mixed-member proportional.

The change came after years of broken electoral promises and decades of growing frustration from voters that the First Past the Post system locked out smaller parties.

For example, the Social Credit party won more than 20-percent of the vote in 1981 – but only got two seats.

The new system meant that in 1996, after all the votes were cast, there was no clear winner.

A kingmaker was required.

Former Labour Party MP and political historian Michael Bassett remembers.

“The end result was that Winston [Peters] kept the nation guessing for nine weeks while he flipped around the place and went fishing, and did all the smiley faces for the media and teased as all unmercifully, eventually announced that he would go into coalition with National.”

The story of MMP is entwined with its most savvy exponent – Winston Peters.

He said it forces cross-party cooperation which makes the country stronger.

Peters said the media and the major parties have simply never really got MMP.

“I’ll give an example, in the 2017 elections handover, we are starting negotiations with both National and Labour, and within three days I’m being accused of holding the country to ransom – and the final votes have not even been reported in.

“Now, Germany had an election in 2017 … and they took almost five months to form a government.

“We, when the final votes were in, took 11 days.”

Peters argues MMP ensures that only parties who can work up a collective majority of votes can form a government.

The criticism of MMP has always been that it allows the tail to wag the dog.

However, Bassett said Peters was a political force before MMP came in.

And he said MMP has also opened the way to some strong political players including the Green Party’s Jeanette Fitzsimons and Rod Donald – who as a pro-MMP campaigner was instrumental in getting MMP over the line.

Alliance Party MP Liz Gordon entered Parliament in the class of 1996 last on its list.

She and Jim Anderton and left the Labour Party over its jag to the economic right, helping form the Alliance party.

She said the major parties have never liked MMP.

“It was a very difficult time, the two big parties were not keen to give up their authority.

“And actually that’s one of the enduring lessons, minor parties [are] seen more as a nuisance then as partners I think.”

Gordon said MMP has helped usher in policies like paid parental leave, Kiwibank and Peter’s gold card – to name a few

She said it has helped move the country away from aggressive de-regulation, and improved representation and voters’ choice.

And Parliament has become more diverse. In the 2020 election just under 50 percent of MPs elected – or 58 people – were women. Twenty-five are Māori, 11 Pacific and eight Asian among the 120 members.

And MMP looks like it’s here to stay, it got the backing of the majority in 2011 referendum and wholesale change is not on the table in a recently launched sweeping review of the electoral laws.

SOURCE: RNZ News

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