Ardern stresses need for honesty in NZ relations with Australia

Australia must share “an open, honest dialogue” with its Pacific neighbours on trade and climate change, New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern has told a national public service conference in Australia.

In an opening speech to the Australia and New Zealand School of Government in Melbourne, Ardern said that high debt and prolonged low interest rates had “inflated asset values, widening inequalities in new ways” for both countries.

“Most obviously for countries like New Zealand and Australia, booming housing markets have put home ownership out of reach of a growing number of younger people, especially when coupled with the debt many accumulate trying to further their education,” Ardern said.