THE ELECTIONS !

Here in New Zealand we are holding elections today; hot on the heels of the first African American to be elected President of the United States.
Currently the Prime Minister is Helen Clark, New Zealand's second female Prime Minister & the 20th most powerful woman in the world.



Sir Edmumd Hillary once described her:
“ Our prime minister has been rather unique in being a great lover of the out of doors and she's always off climbing something, doing something exciting and I think that New Zealanders admire that. That is sort of the way of life that they have come to accept in our little old island in the south seas. But Helen as been particularly strong in this respect. So long may she reign. ”

Elections are always on a Saturday here and generally occur every three years.
Their first national elections here took place in 1853 and New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant women's suffrage.

There are several 'parties' to vote for..ACT, ALPC (that's Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party!),Maori Party, First Party, Pacific Party, Bill and Ben Party (aah cute! Their political aim is "to put the 'party' back into political party!"),Kiwi Party and so on.. we shall have to see! But it looks as if it will be the National party, led by John Key.



The official results will be announced on November 22nd.