The energy around this movement, its bold ideas on justice, economics and climate, is resonating with Gen Z far beyond the US.
Victoria University of Wellington senior lecturer Dr Mona Kewel told The Front Page that Mamdani has been seen as the opposite of the reactionary Republican politicians who have risen to power in the US in recent years.
“He’s a member of the Democratic Party. He identifies as a socialist. He’s young and Muslim ... And he’s the opposite of the moderate oldies that the party has presented in the last decade, like Joe Biden,” Kewel said.
“The fact that someone like him can get elected was actually a symbol of hope for all those who are more progressive in the country. It showed that the politics that he stands for are still successfully drawing voters.
“More than it being an actual ‘effect’, it tells you something also about the journalists in the US who came up with that term and their hopes for the country, and for themselves.
“Because the media is under a lot of pressure in the US from the Trump Administration at the moment.”
Mamdani distanced himself from the so-called “Washington elite”, Kewel said, and this obviously resonated with young voters.
“Gen Z voters are different from previous generations in many important ways. They are more racially and ethnically diverse than any previous generation. I think they’re projected by 2026 to become a majority non-white generation.
“They’re on track to become the most well-educated generation ever, and very much support redistribution politics more than people with a lower education.
“I know some people are very quick to say this is a nationwide movement, but I think urban voters are, in general, more progressive than rural voters. Voters in New York are also known to be very progressive.
“We are also talking about a country that in 2016 and 2024 was not ready yet to elect a female President. So, one progressive mayor does not fully turn that around overnight,” she said.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about:
- Mamdani’s platform and policies
- Generational impact and appeal
- Template for future politics
- Social media’s role
- Lessons for NZ politicians.
The Front Page is a daily news podcast from the New Zealand Herald, available to listen to every weekday from 5am. The podcast is presented by Chelsea Daniels, an Auckland-based journalist with a background in world news and crime/justice reporting who joined NZME in 2016.
You can follow the podcast at iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
