The ACT party's new leader

New Zealand News - NZ - Act's perk-buster pledges to change his image

Since Don Brash's Orewa speech the National Party's (center-right) popularity rose and even topped Helen Clark's Labour Party (center-left). National's rise has also been a demise of smaller parties like ACT (Association of Consumers and Taxpayers, liberal), New Zealand First (mostly right-wing views), Greens and United Future (centrist, Christian democrats).

I believe ACT's share has slumped to less than the 5 percent(?) requirement to have a seat in parliament.

Political commentators have seen that New Zealanders side with the dominant parties during important issues such as the race issue raised by Don Brash.

Rodney Hide, being ACT's new leader must be able to regain lost support. His party may not be the main opposition or government party but it has to be viable enough to have a bigger voice in parliament that has been dominated by Labour and National. Good luck, Rodney Hide.

On a personal note, I am not a fan of center-right, right-wing and libertarian ideologies. I am more of a centrist with leanings to center-left and Christian democratic principles.