Kiwis Reaction to the U.S. Presidential Election

Pictures are from the headlines and the World section of the Nov. 10, 2016 edition of the Dominion Post, New Zealand's leading national newspaper.

Fascinating to talk with the Kiwis about our recent presidential election.  The reaction I've observed from them so far includes 1)  a more than passing interest and surprise at Trump's win, 2)  a concern how this will affect them in New Zealand and 3)  actual sympathy for Clinton supporters.  There were a few that liked Trump's nomination, simply because it breaks up the norm.

An overall sentiment I'm seeing is that this will be a real test of the U.S. democracy, but the expectation is that the U.S. will eventually be OK.

Below are reactions in today's newspaper from various New Zealand officials. (there are 2 major political parties here, the Labour and National.  Others include the Green, Maori and ACT parties)

"The American people have spoken and I congratulate Mr. Trump on his victory after a long campaign."  NZ Prime Minister John Key

"The relationship with USA goes beyond any individual in the office. . . It's too early to tell what impact this will mean for NZ. . . it's important we understand what it means in terms of the sense of disenfranchisement and dissatisfaction there is in the American electorate."  Labour Party leader Andrew Little 

"I couldn't think of a worse president.  Trump has demonstrated he's a pathological liar so regardless of what he said during the election campaign we don't know what he'll do."  Green Party co-leader James Shaw

"Kiwis would have to expect a different world economy under a Trump presidency.  New Zealand is so dependent on international trade that anything a Trump presidency did to slow world trade would have an impact on New Zealand."  Former Prime Minister and former NZ ambassador to the US Jim Bolger

"It's very worrying when we're a small, open trading nation and the American people have effectively voted against free trade - that's hugely concerning."  ACT Party leader David Seymour

"The lack of policy discussion probably was a little disappointing."  US Ambassador to NZ Mark Gilbert

"I don't think it will have much bearing on the situation in New Zealand because we're a very small democracy where there's still a high degree of participation."  Green Party official Julie Anne Genter

"We have in New Zealand pockets of society that do not see Maori (the largest minority in NZ) as deserving of equal rights, who have certain views that are akin to those of the Trump supporters, and this will embolden them and embolden politicians who want to tap into that sentiment.  We don't need that here."  Former US intelligence adviser Paul Buchanan

"We may not approve of it, but it may actually restore a bit of faith in America that things aren't all predetermined."  National Party pollster David Farrar