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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/08/jacindamania-soars-anew-as-new-zealand-pm-sprinkles-stardust-on-rival
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| 'Jacindamania' soars anew as New Zealand PM sprinkles 'stardust' on rival | 'Jacindamania' soars anew as New Zealand PM sprinkles 'stardust' on rival |
| (13 days later) | |
| The New Zealand prime minister has dismissed his competitor’s popularity with voters as “stardust” in one of their final meetings before the general election in two weeks time. | The New Zealand prime minister has dismissed his competitor’s popularity with voters as “stardust” in one of their final meetings before the general election in two weeks time. |
| In a highly charged debate in Christchurch, Bill English and Jacinda Ardern clashed over the future of the country with the Nationals leader appearing to fuel his opponent’s soaring popularity. | In a highly charged debate in Christchurch, Bill English and Jacinda Ardern clashed over the future of the country with the Nationals leader appearing to fuel his opponent’s soaring popularity. |
| English, who has never polled well with voters and has been described as having “the personality of a rock”, tried to downplay Ardern’s strong showing in the polls as “stardust”. | English, who has never polled well with voters and has been described as having “the personality of a rock”, tried to downplay Ardern’s strong showing in the polls as “stardust”. |
| “Now the stardust has settled, you’re starting to see the policy ... as an alternative to a successful New Zealand, you’re being asked to vote for a committee,” said English in his opening statement. | “Now the stardust has settled, you’re starting to see the policy ... as an alternative to a successful New Zealand, you’re being asked to vote for a committee,” said English in his opening statement. |
| But Ardern immediately bit back at English’s comment in a retort that is quickly becoming her unofficial campaign slogan in New Zealand. | But Ardern immediately bit back at English’s comment in a retort that is quickly becoming her unofficial campaign slogan in New Zealand. |
| “This stardust won’t settle, because none of us should settle,” Ardern said. | “This stardust won’t settle, because none of us should settle,” Ardern said. |
| “None of us should settle. Christchurch shouldn’t settle. New Zealand shouldn’t settle for anything less than taking on head-on the challenges that we face this election.” | “None of us should settle. Christchurch shouldn’t settle. New Zealand shouldn’t settle for anything less than taking on head-on the challenges that we face this election.” |
| An internet poll on Friday by international survey firm SSI and commissioned by Newsroom put the gap between Labour and National at 15 points – with Labour polling at 45 and National at a catastrophic 30. | An internet poll on Friday by international survey firm SSI and commissioned by Newsroom put the gap between Labour and National at 15 points – with Labour polling at 45 and National at a catastrophic 30. |
| The survey of more than 500 people showed Ardern was polling particularly well among women and the young, with 53% of women choosing to support Labour compared with National’s 22%. Those aged 18 to 24 favoured Labour by 65% compared to 14% for National. A poll before the debate had showed Labour leading 43% to 39%. | The survey of more than 500 people showed Ardern was polling particularly well among women and the young, with 53% of women choosing to support Labour compared with National’s 22%. Those aged 18 to 24 favoured Labour by 65% compared to 14% for National. A poll before the debate had showed Labour leading 43% to 39%. |
| Ardern, who at 37 is the youngest leader to ever take charge of the beleaguered Labour party in New Zealand, has experienced an astonishing surge in popularity since taking over on 1 August, increasing her party’s polling results by 19 points in just over a month. | Ardern, who at 37 is the youngest leader to ever take charge of the beleaguered Labour party in New Zealand, has experienced an astonishing surge in popularity since taking over on 1 August, increasing her party’s polling results by 19 points in just over a month. |
| The stardust comment sparked online comment and the inevitable meme. | The stardust comment sparked online comment and the inevitable meme. |
| Calling Jacinda 'Stardust' was probably not a great move. It literally has 'star' in the word. | Calling Jacinda 'Stardust' was probably not a great move. It literally has 'star' in the word. |
| #JacindaStardust #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/3IngLbQH9A | #JacindaStardust #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/3IngLbQH9A |
| JACINDA: What do you mean by stardust?BILL: [actual answer] [word salad]BILL: [perhaps wishing he had said...]#StuffDebate pic.twitter.com/a64bhp9wat | JACINDA: What do you mean by stardust?BILL: [actual answer] [word salad]BILL: [perhaps wishing he had said...]#StuffDebate pic.twitter.com/a64bhp9wat |
| That stardust is looking Prime Ministarial to me! No more drift! #letsdothis #LeadersDebate @nzlabour #nzpol | That stardust is looking Prime Ministarial to me! No more drift! #letsdothis #LeadersDebate @nzlabour #nzpol |
| Stardust would be a good DJ name for Jacinda. | Stardust would be a good DJ name for Jacinda. |
| After the debate Ardern was asked if she found being described as “stardust” offensive, but she took the slight with good humour. | After the debate Ardern was asked if she found being described as “stardust” offensive, but she took the slight with good humour. |
| “It’s a robust campaign and I did ask for an explanation of what it meant ... perhaps it’s from being a child of the 80s, stardust didn’t seem that offensive to me.” she said. | “It’s a robust campaign and I did ask for an explanation of what it meant ... perhaps it’s from being a child of the 80s, stardust didn’t seem that offensive to me.” she said. |
| The Labour party even latched onto it. | The Labour party even latched onto it. |
| Bill English called Jacinda stardust. She hit back with this. #LeadersDebate #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/uh9mfu3gn8 | Bill English called Jacinda stardust. She hit back with this. #LeadersDebate #LetsDoThis pic.twitter.com/uh9mfu3gn8 |
| The New Zealand Herald’s political columnist Barry Soper said Ardern’s “stardust” effect risked becoming a “sandstorm” for the National party, with poll after poll showing Labour’s sustained and increasing popularity with voters. | The New Zealand Herald’s political columnist Barry Soper said Ardern’s “stardust” effect risked becoming a “sandstorm” for the National party, with poll after poll showing Labour’s sustained and increasing popularity with voters. |
| Jacinda Ardern | Jacinda Ardern |
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