BBC News Online: Despatches

New Zealand's first woman PM

Jenny Shipley has an image of a tough, no-nonsense politician -- a strong supporter of a free-market economy and social policies that emphasize personal, not State responsibility. But her first statements in the new job talk about building a more cohesive and inclusive society based on progressive social policies.

She is promising more reform. As yet, it's only a hint of the course she wants to steer.

Her more pressing task will be to assure the junior partner in the coalition government, the centrist New Zealand First Party, that they can work with her and live with her political vision. One factor behind the coup that brought Mrs Shipley to power was her predecessor's perceived weakness in handling the sometimes erratic and embarrassing New Zealand First Party.

At the moment, Mrs Shipley is talking of revitalizing the government and better co-ordination of the two parties. She's even suggested that parliament might run better with fewer politicians.

It's safe territory for her to be on in her early days. Mrs Shipley now has the summer holidays to start putting flesh on some of the initiatives she hopes will restore confidence in her party and the government.

Related Stories

First woman PM for New Zealand

Internet Links

New Zealand Government

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Summaries

In this section

Moors murder appeal
Afghan falcons under threat
Controversial candidate wins Hongkong elections
Basilica reopens two months after earthquake damage
Princess Royal opens Paraguay environmental project amid controversy
UN Human Rights Chief attacks Rwanda
Africa's economy on the upswing
Female candidate on Kenyan campaign trail
British PM announces plan to help excluded
Turkey urged to drop Israel links
British farmers protest escalates
India keeps up war against polio
Goodbye Almaty, Hello Akmola
Brahms manuscript sold for $700,000
Iraq rejects US charges of indifference
Thai government cracks down on finance companies
Its a conference, but not as we know it
Its a conference, but not as we know it
Its a conference, but not as we know it
Its a conference, but not as we know it
Iran gears up for summit