Ardern noted the Labour Party is polling higher than it was before the 2017 election. However, Labour was reliant at that election on two minority parties to form government, a common quirk of the country's political system. Two closely watched opinion polls released in October showed support for her ruling coalition at its lowest since 2017. This week's eruption of the White Island volcano, which killed at least six people, presents a further challenge. Questions are already being asked about why tourists were allowed to visit an active volcanic island in the first place.

Source: International New York Times December 11, 2019 05:26 UTC