Is it appropriate for a sports blog to stray into the world of national politics? Of course it is. The actions of politicians have a huge influence on sport in New Zealand. Many sports, including swimming, are dependent on government funding for their survival. And sport is of course part of society. If society is in a good place, sport will benefit.

Taking all this into account Swimwatch has decided to endorse and support the New Zealand Labour Party in the 2017 General Election. Why have I reached this decision?

Well the decision is not policy based. In fact when it comes to sport and recreation there is little difference between New Zealand’s political parties. It’s more a matter of emphasis rather than substance. All parties encourage the benefits of the great outdoors. They all want to see community sport prosper and they all pledge support for New Zealand’s’ elite performers. Labour do make specific mention of easing the transition between being a good local competitor and making it as an elite athlete. Many swimmers find that transition especially difficult. Many give up and retire for that very reason. For Labour to recognize this as a problem is a step forward. However apart from that it is not policy that has been paramount in influencing my decision.

Instead I like the idea of the country having a fresh start. The grey men and women of the National Party have done a good job. For over a decade they have run the economy well and have been fair and honest governors. But they are looking tired and uninspiring; apart from Judith Collins, who is tired and terrifying.

In comparison the new leader of the Labour Party, Jacinda Ardern, is a breath of fresh air. She is young (37), bright, interesting and charismatic. Since she became leader of the party a month ago Labour has gone from nowhere in the polls to leading the National Party. The country is caught up in a wave of popular support they call “Jacindamania”. And I think it’s great.

I have lived away from New Zealand for eighteen of my 69 years. I have always thought of New Zealand as a safe, secure and well run place. Occasionally it has been both safe and secure and exciting as well. And on those occasions I have felt especially proud. Like when David Lange told the United States to take their nuclear bombs and guns somewhere else in the world. Like when the same government dragged us all into an open, free market economy. Like when Helen Clarke refused to fight in America’s Iraq war. Like the justice New Zealand provided Treaty of Waitangi claims.

When I have been with swimmers representing New Zealand overseas there is great pride in knowing your country is good and caring. New Zealand might be small but it is also proud, strong and independent. It punches above its body weight.

It seems to me that the arrival of Jacinda Ardern offers New Zealand the chance of another progressive moment. There are not many nations that elect a 37 year old women to run the place. The first leader’s debate shows she is in the race on merit. Swimwatch is not the place to discuss the details of her tax, housing, immigration, education and health plans. However we have seen that she does have a vision and she is bright and young. It’s about time New Zealand led the world again – and electing a 37 year old woman as Prime Minister is a good place to start. With Jacinda Ardern as Prime Minister New Zealanders can look at their home with affection mixed with excitement and anticipation. The old generation has done well. But the time has come to hand power to a new generation. And, by some distance, Jacinda Ardern is its best representative.

I am aware the sex of a candidate for Prime Minister should not be a major concern. However in my case it is. Both female members of my family were National open record holders, national open champions and national open representatives; my wife in athletics and my daughter in swimming. I have coached ten other women who have either been open national champions or have swum for their country in open competition. I have some appreciation of the barriers women still face compared to men. In all sorts of ways life for achieving women is that little bit harder. It is getting better. And it is getting better because of women like Jacinda Ardern.

Role models help. “Women can do anything” is all well and good as a call to arms but to be relevant it needs to be the cause of change. America was hurt when Hillary lost and a male misogynist pig won instead. No New Zealand male politician comes anywhere near the despicable depths of Donald Trump. Not by a long way. The current Prime Minister, Bill English, is a descent and good man. But for no fault of his own he is not a role model for aspiring women. Jacinda Ardern fits that role perfectly. And if someone can make New Zealand a little bit better, a little bit easier for the country’s women to succeed then she has earned my vote. I like the idea of a woman being in charge. I think it’s good for other women and I think it’s good for men as well. The more examples there are of women achieving big things in rugby, in swimming, in politics, in medicine and in life the less other women might have to put up with morons telling them things like not to lift heavy weights, “because you are a girl.” Men need reminding that sort of thing is not acceptable. Jacinda Ardern would be a great reminder.

And so for policy, for talent, for a new generation, for excitement and as a role model I will support Labour with a party and a constituency vote in three weeks. The Party’s logo for this election is “Let’s do this”. I agree 100% – let’s do this.