I like Jacinda Ardern as a person and I believe she has a lot to offer. On the international stage she has done a lot to raise the awareness of New Zealand and against a back drop of some terrible world leaders she is a bright spot. Domestically I feel she has been lacking in her leadership of people although Winston Peters et al would be a nightmare for anyone to handle. I believe she is a good PM but has some very weak ministers under her. The Coalition has not performed well and have missed many of their stated objectives.
I do not like Simon Bridges, I believe the National party made a huge mistake selecting him as a leader but given the National parties to five there is not a lot to go with. I believe National has been a largely ineffectual opposition during the last three years when there is a lot they could work with. However the media has had an ongoing romance with JA and the Coalition which of course makes the task of an opposition party harder.
At the end of the year the New Zealand public will do the performance appraisals and deliver their findings. I believe that a Labour led coalition will be returned but it will be a Labour NZ Green coalition. I do not believe National has the ability or the leadership in place to win the election or lead the country. With the challenges we are facing right now a change in government would not be in the best interests of the country.
Thats my view on it from a long time National Party supporter.