New Zealanders were pleased and surprised to find that their anti-nuclear policy was popular with tourists - especially after the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. Protests against French nuclear tests in the Pacific in 1995 confirmed New Zealand as a world-leader in the anti-nuclear movement. Today the country has an image of being 'clean and green.'

New Zealand has a long history of progressive ideas. It was the first country in the world to introduce an eight-hour working day (1840) and to give the vote to women (1893). In 1935, a 'cradle-to-the-grave' social welfare system was introduced, with free or cheap medical care, state housing and pensions for everyone over the age of 64.

This welfare system was very expensive and, without any warning, the 1984-90 government privatised a lot of its services and ended many welfare benefits. This move was very unpopular and as a result the people voted for a new system of election, similar to Germany's. It is hoped that this will make governments take voters' wishes more into account. Everyone now has two votes, one for a party, one for a Member of Parliament. The first election under this Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system was in 1996.

“In the English-speaking World”