New Zealand's conservatives gut Ardern's progressive policies

PM Luxon's government repeals green car rebates and world-first tobacco ban

20240314N Christopher Luxon REUTERS

Christopher Luxon, now New Zealand's prime minister, speaks to National Party supporters after winning the general election on Oct. 14, 2023. © Reuters

RURIKA IMAHASHI, Nikkei staff writer

SYDNEY -- New Zealand's government under Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has swiftly pushed forward a conservative agenda that has rolled back the progressive priorities of predecessor Jacinda Ardern.

Luxon, who assumed office in November, oversees a coalition government that includes his National Party, the right-wing ACT Party and the populist New Zealand First party. The three-party coalition is the first in the country's history and the government is regarded as the most conservative in the past three decades.

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