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Stardust and Substance: The New Zealand General Election of 2017
Stardust and Substance captures some of the magic of Jacinda Ardern’s extraordinary seven-and-a-half week campaign, whose 'relentless positivity' and 'let's do this' attitude defeated a National government that had been in power for nine years.
The story of her sensational achievement and the 2017 race in general is told by Jacinda Ardern herself; her coalition partners, Winston Peters and James Shaw; and her adversary in the campaign, former prime minister Bill English. Overseas observers describe how 'Jacindamania' captured the outside world's attention; 14 of New Zealand’s top cartoonists offer their take on the election; and further expert analysis is provided by academic commentators, journalists, pollsters, a TV news producer, and other political experts and consultants.
Aspects of this election and the subsequent formation of the government highlighted in this volume include: the televised debates; Jacinda Ardern’s inspirational example for New Zealand’s young women; UMR’s survey findings about leadership, issues and ‘word clouds’; the post-election negotiations with Winston Peters; the dramatic role of political scandals in the election; how the election played out in the Maori seats and in New Zealand's Pacific communities; and first-hand accounts of four campaign – Julie Anne Genter (Greens); Chris Hipkins (Labour); Mark Mitchell (National); Fletcher Tabuteau (New Zealand First).
Stardust and Substance also farewells the Key-English government, examining its legacy with regard to some key issues: the economy, housing, the environment, immigration, foreign policy and security; and of course, New Zealand's flag.
The story of her sensational achievement and the 2017 race in general is told by Jacinda Ardern herself; her coalition partners, Winston Peters and James Shaw; and her adversary in the campaign, former prime minister Bill English. Overseas observers describe how 'Jacindamania' captured the outside world's attention; 14 of New Zealand’s top cartoonists offer their take on the election; and further expert analysis is provided by academic commentators, journalists, pollsters, a TV news producer, and other political experts and consultants.
Aspects of this election and the subsequent formation of the government highlighted in this volume include: the televised debates; Jacinda Ardern’s inspirational example for New Zealand’s young women; UMR’s survey findings about leadership, issues and ‘word clouds’; the post-election negotiations with Winston Peters; the dramatic role of political scandals in the election; how the election played out in the Maori seats and in New Zealand's Pacific communities; and first-hand accounts of four campaign – Julie Anne Genter (Greens); Chris Hipkins (Labour); Mark Mitchell (National); Fletcher Tabuteau (New Zealand First).
Stardust and Substance also farewells the Key-English government, examining its legacy with regard to some key issues: the economy, housing, the environment, immigration, foreign policy and security; and of course, New Zealand's flag.
- GenresNonfiction
559 pages, Paperback
First published September 14, 2018
44 people want to read
About the author
Stephen I. Levine
18 books1 followerProfessor Levine has written extensively about New Zealand’s politics, elections and international relations.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 9, 2022
Three years after the transformative 2017 election, do the opinions of this book still hold up? Actually, not too badly.
In a little over a month, Jacinda Ardern turned the Labour Party around from 9 years of moribund opposition into the cornerstone of a governing centre left coalition. It's a little complicated, as the previously ruling National Party actually did remarkably well, but Labour's revival allowed it to knock out National's supporting coalition partners and knit together a new government.
Ardern takes up alot of lines in the book, and the subseqent three years suggests the authors were prescient. While I am a little uncomfortable with lines such as As such, retaining positive perceptions of Ardern's leadership throughout her tenure may be important for retaining or increasing female interest and involvement in politics, she has continued to show "stardust and substance" in her performative role as leader. Labour will base its 2020 campaign around her.
There are multiple other matters analysed in this book, albeit mainly from a historical perspective. They are interesting for a New Zealander but definitely context specific. Ironically, the most abstract and therefore possibly most internationally interesting chapter (economic policy) is the most incomprehensible. I am also not sure whether academics analysing immediately after the election the use of satire is really of value, it's just too slippery to get a grip on.
The chapters by the party leaders and analysis of electoral campaigns are valuable, mainly for where faults are identified or ignored. Some are more "frank" than others, albeit to what extent they are correct is too hard to tell, even when ostensibly admitting errors. Turei's benefit scandal is one with many contrasting viewpoints.
This is a worthwhile collection, that holds up well. My only caveat is I wouldn't see it as necessary for informing a voter's choice going forward. Stardust and Substance doesn't claim to be that, but it does make it more of a snapshot than a moving picture, outside of Jacindamania (which is not minor).
In a little over a month, Jacinda Ardern turned the Labour Party around from 9 years of moribund opposition into the cornerstone of a governing centre left coalition. It's a little complicated, as the previously ruling National Party actually did remarkably well, but Labour's revival allowed it to knock out National's supporting coalition partners and knit together a new government.
Ardern takes up alot of lines in the book, and the subseqent three years suggests the authors were prescient. While I am a little uncomfortable with lines such as As such, retaining positive perceptions of Ardern's leadership throughout her tenure may be important for retaining or increasing female interest and involvement in politics, she has continued to show "stardust and substance" in her performative role as leader. Labour will base its 2020 campaign around her.
There are multiple other matters analysed in this book, albeit mainly from a historical perspective. They are interesting for a New Zealander but definitely context specific. Ironically, the most abstract and therefore possibly most internationally interesting chapter (economic policy) is the most incomprehensible. I am also not sure whether academics analysing immediately after the election the use of satire is really of value, it's just too slippery to get a grip on.
The chapters by the party leaders and analysis of electoral campaigns are valuable, mainly for where faults are identified or ignored. Some are more "frank" than others, albeit to what extent they are correct is too hard to tell, even when ostensibly admitting errors. Turei's benefit scandal is one with many contrasting viewpoints.
This is a worthwhile collection, that holds up well. My only caveat is I wouldn't see it as necessary for informing a voter's choice going forward. Stardust and Substance doesn't claim to be that, but it does make it more of a snapshot than a moving picture, outside of Jacindamania (which is not minor).
November 10, 2018
This is a really interesting and readable collection of short essays on the 2017 General Election in New Zealand. Well done Victoria University of Wellington.
December 14, 2018
Retrospect (and some prospect) on the New Zealand 2017 General Election, with thirty-eight different perspectives. Especially notable are the introductory chapter, Winston's well-founded frustration towards the media's presentation of a "two-horse race"; Dunne's retort to those who criticise his style; the whole section on National's legacy, though especially the criticism of National's mishandling of environmental issues, and another criticism of what was effectively a non-response on National's part over three terms in government to the housing crisis; the interesting discussion of a "politics of presence," oriented around personalities, versus a "politics of values," and what Jacinda's Prime Mininsterialship might or might not mean for (especially younger) NZ women; and a detailed consideration of the just what happened in the Maaori electorates this election.
Notable appendices include the post-election agreements between Labour and NZ First, and between Labour and the Greens. Full-colour graphs and images throughout, and the chapter on cartoonists and the election is good here. Not much else to say in regard to content, but VUP should know that the ink smudges quite easily throughout, which is a bit of a pain.
Notable appendices include the post-election agreements between Labour and NZ First, and between Labour and the Greens. Full-colour graphs and images throughout, and the chapter on cartoonists and the election is good here. Not much else to say in regard to content, but VUP should know that the ink smudges quite easily throughout, which is a bit of a pain.
January 25, 2019
2017 was definitely one of the more exciting elections in recent times which makes for a more exciting edition of the election series for this term.
I think Stephen Levine sets out well in his introduction my motivation in reading these books "A book about a particular set of events is read, in the first instance, by people who lived through those events. For them, it is a matter of re-experiencing what they themselves went through - observed, thought, felt - but in greater depth, and perhaps from a somewhat altered perspective. For readers who come later, there is a curiousity about what occurred: the information given to them is new, offering an account of the personalities and pivotal moments surrounding an event now approached as 'history', rather than 'memory'.
These books both tell the story of a single election and as a series show the constants and cycles that occur in politics going back in time. I find myself both reliving my own experienced reading them as learning about the past and the trends in our politics.
As always I think the best chapters in this book are those giving the perspectives of each of the political parties and the overview chapter.
The only disappointing part this time was the campaign perspectives section which looked at the contest in four electorates did not include any marginal electorates. All of the candidates would have known whether they would win or lose.
I think Stephen Levine sets out well in his introduction my motivation in reading these books "A book about a particular set of events is read, in the first instance, by people who lived through those events. For them, it is a matter of re-experiencing what they themselves went through - observed, thought, felt - but in greater depth, and perhaps from a somewhat altered perspective. For readers who come later, there is a curiousity about what occurred: the information given to them is new, offering an account of the personalities and pivotal moments surrounding an event now approached as 'history', rather than 'memory'.
These books both tell the story of a single election and as a series show the constants and cycles that occur in politics going back in time. I find myself both reliving my own experienced reading them as learning about the past and the trends in our politics.
As always I think the best chapters in this book are those giving the perspectives of each of the political parties and the overview chapter.
The only disappointing part this time was the campaign perspectives section which looked at the contest in four electorates did not include any marginal electorates. All of the candidates would have known whether they would win or lose.
January 20, 2019
The New Zealand General election of 2017 was set to be dull and boring even by New Zealand standards with the incumbent National Party government expected to be returned to power for a fourth term. Instead we ended up with a Three Party coalition led by an Ex-Mormom, whisky loving, part-time DJ who went on to become an unmarried mother! I'm still not quite sure how things ended up this way, and I was paying attention while it all happened! This collection of essays does help shed some light on the events of the 2017 general election, especially the events that resulted in Jacinda Ardern becoming the Labour Party leader in early August. Interestingly there is an essay that argues that Ardern's rise is part of a global trend, it's just that in her case it's the most successful and spectacular example. It also covers areas that were ignored by the main stream media at the time such as how the campaign played out in the Pacific Islander communities. While this is a very specialised area of interest this book is an invaluable resource for those with an interest in this area.
May 18, 2019
A great reminder of an unprecedented election in NZ’s history. I loved the different perspectives, from media around the world to Peter Dunne’s final (and funny) words as he excited a long career. Some excellent essays. Looking forward to hearing more on Jacinda’s perspective tomorrow as she speaks at the Writer’s Festival.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews