New Zealand's politicians are too middle-class to tackle our biggest problems | Bryce Edwards

They can celebrate diversity and gender equality, but Labour must deal with more traditional leftwing concerns like inequality and housing

A very liberal revolution has been occurring in New Zealand politics. Our parliament and Labour-led government are more socially liberal and diverse than ever before, and that's something for progressives to celebrate.

Jacinda Ardern, the prime minister, embodies this, and is lauded as a breath of fresh air in a political world traditionally dominated by stale, male, and pale" social conservatives. She has just reshuffled the cabinet of her re-elected government, bringing more women, Mori and Pasifika into senior positions. It is the most diverse cabinet in history. The appointment of moko kauae-wearing Nanaia Mahuta as the minister of foreign affairs epitomises this modernisation. Similarly, we have our first openly gay deputy prime minister.