Labour leader Jacinda Ardern campaigns in Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern campaigns in Auckland. Photo / Greg Bowker
Every election campaign is akin to a theatrical production with leading roles, support cast, extras, some bit players and the backstage crew.
2020 has been no exception - but in one of the lead roles there has been the need to call on two understudies in quick succession, and therewas a gatecrasher of an actor that was bound by no script, rules or laws: Covid-19.
It was New Zealand First leader Winston Peters who best articulated the turmoil faced by every party bar Labour. It was, he said, "the worst campaign environment that I've been involved in".
It was a pitiful excuse of a campaign, hamstrung by Covid-19.
National Party leader Judith Collins at the Clevedon Farmers' Market. Photo / Peter Meecham
It is not the first time an external factor has dominated and disrupted an election campaign.
In 2008, the global financial crisis was the dominant factor.
In 2014, there was the double hit of Nicky Hager's 'Dirty Politics' book, and Kim Dotcom's entry to the scene, setting up the Internet Party and hosting the Moment of Truth event.
In 2017, the shot of adrenalin came from within: It was the rise of Jacinda Ardern to the leadership of Labour.
But none of those caused anything like the disruption of Covid-19.
The pandemic saw a seismic shift in the polls between March and May as National's support plummeted from the mid 40s to below 30 per cent in polling, and Labour's rocketed up above 50 per cent.
Covid-19's second appearance on August 11 led to the first election date of September 19 being abandoned and the first campaign came to a screaming halt.
The second campaign
Aucklanders could only peek out from level 3 as the political leaders resumed their campaigns in the safer level 2 territories around New Zealand.
Those leaders largely stayed away from Auckland, especially in the first few weeks of the campaign.
Even when those restrictions dropped, politicians were wary of resuming things such as public meetings because of the public perception.
As much attention went on breaches of physical distancing as policies.
National Party leader Judith Collins was castigated for a close encounter with a baby – and after that made her own MPs stand a metre away from her during press conferences.
