I learned a lot about politics in New Zealand during the US presidential debates. New Zealanders are staunch Obama supporters and will not be swayed otherwise. During the first debate that Romney won, everyone around me hated the things that Romney said. They thought that he was complete rubbish and could not understand how Romney had any support at all. I was really taken aback by the failure of these people to recognize differing perspectives. However, I learned that the level of socialism in this country is a large contributing factor to underlying political opinions. Even the conservatives in this country end up seeming more like Democrats from the United States. The entire political spectrum is shifted to the left here in New Zealand.
New Zealanders do have good reason to favor the Democratic Party. Democrats are friendlier towards New Zealand and have a history to prove it. Hillary Clinton made a big difference in relations for example, with the Wellington Declaration. The Wellington Declaration is a step closer to alliance like how Australia, New Zealand, and the United States made the ANZUS treaty in World War II. This was dropped in the 1980s when Prime Minister David Lange chose a nuclear free policy. He was under pressure from locals who wanted to remain allies with the United States but also have the nuclear free policy. At the time the United States was pressuring New Zealand to support their nuclear policy. Now that the Cold War is over, the United States can step past the nuclear free policy that New Zealand still holds.
President Bush’s secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, also kept up good relations with New Zealand. Over time, both parties made efforts to keep warm relations with New Zealand. This is overlooked by many New Zealanders though.
Republicans of the past have been known for economic protectionist policies, but New Zealanders should not be worried about a dramatic change if Romney is elected. Since New Zealand is such a small country it depends on the United States for trade and protection. Warm relations are key to its success. World War II saw the biggest opening of New Zealand to relations with the United States, and these ties have stayed strong ever since.
When capitalism is brought up, the New Zealanders often fight it. They have nationalized health care and cannot see any benefit in having privatized health care. They believe that the government can surely provide better health care and that the competition between providers is a problem. As an American, I feel that I have learned from an early age to respect capitalism and the idea of the American dream. It is not the same here.
New Zealanders are extremely interested in US political happenings. I am often asked about policies and what my take on certain topics are. I try to help them see issues from a different perspective, but those who I have spoken with are often inflexible when it comes to their opinion of America.
Merritt Moran graduated from Georgetown's McDonough School of Business in 2014 with majors in international business and finance. She participated in the Berkley Center's Junior Year Abroad Network while studying in Auckland, New Zealand during the fall semester of 2012.
