New Zealand went to the polls yesterday to elect a new government line-up. Incumbent Prime Minister, Helen Clark, was returned and her Labour Party NZ folded a strong hand of 41 per cent of the country's party vote with which to resume control. This brought 52 seats, 61 being needed to rule. In the coming days the PM will doubtless negotiate with a bit-player party (2 seats); the Green Party whose elected List or Party vote-only Reps constitute a variety of views across the political spectrum; and the new phenomenon UNITED FUTURE NZ party which perf-ormed well on a truly center party platform in the course of the Election.Its 9 seats would be, I believe, a useful attribute in the needed international perception NZ will foster for high stability in trying times to come. We wish them and whatever new government forms the very best of luck!