Surprise COVID-19 Cluster in Auckland Moves New Zealand Prime Minister to Postpone Upcoming Election

Jacinda Arden addressed the nation last week to announce the postponement of the national election to October. Under her leadership, New Zealand saw a remarkably successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Source.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced August 17 that the election will be moved to October 17, giving the nation four extra weeks to prepare for the it’s parliamentary election which was originally set for September 19. This decision arrives in the wake of a new cluster of COVID-19 cases in Auckland, New Zealand, the country’s most populated city.

This new cluster shattered a 102-day streak in New Zealand, where no new COVID-19 cases were present throughout the country since June 8. Ardern made the decision independently, but has reported she communicated with other party leaders, factoring in a concern for her own voters and the voters of her competitors as well. Her opposition including the National Party and the Green Party were in support of the delay, saying the delay would give all parties adequate time for electioneering and provide people with time to safely interact with the election.

Ardern also consulted with the New Zealand Electoral Commission concerning the postponed election. The Commission was already preparing for a variety of scenarios. Ardern emphasizes that she does not expect to move the date again and the four week time period was a recommendation from the Electoral Commission.

Moving towards the election, the Electoral Commission released a set of measures they are implementing and recommendations for voters to ensure a safe voting experience. Their primary goal is to provide more space to ensure proper social distancing as people wait in line. They are increasing both the size and number of voting locations, and are encouraging people to vote close to their homes, even when their homes are outside of their electorate. If people are still uncomfortable voting in person, they have resources on their website for people looking to register to vote through mail.

Judith Collins, the National Party leader, released a statement acknowledging Ardern’s postponement and emphasizing the importance of discovering the new outbreak’s source. Prior to the outbreak, New Zealand had been in a state of Alert Level 1 since June 8, when the country had announced an end to the pandemic within their borders. The cluster of cases in Auckland came as a surprise to New Zealand. In response to the cases in Auckland, the city moved to Alert Level 3, and the rest of the country moved to Alert Level 2. 

Now that Auckland only has 34 active cases, Ardern announced that the city will move to Alert Level 2 on Sunday, August 30, at 11:59 pm and the rest of the country will remain at Level 2. Ardern believes if the rest of the country moved to Level 1, with only Auckland at Level 2, the spread would continue through travel in and out of Auckland.

As of August 28, New Zealand has reported 1,714 confirmed and probable cases, 22 deaths, and 131 active cases. To keep numbers this low, New Zealand tackled the disease with harsh and quick strategies. Around mid-March, the disease had begun a cycle of community transmission and in response, government officials implemented an Alert Level 4 – countrywide lockdown – to help mitigate the spread. The country remained in a lockdown for a total of 7 weeks, and by May, the final COVID case was discovered and placed in quarantine. Due to New Zealand’s quick response and their location, they are ranked high among countries with the most strategic and successful reaction to COVID-19.