Incoming Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is already "wearing the mantle of high office with sure-footed zeal and sparkle".

OPINION: As our new coalition government gears up to be sworn in 48 hours, and we pick over the freshly released details of the government's policy programme, it would be churlish not to wish the new administration well.

It will come as no surprise to you that my preference would have been for a National-New Zealand First coalition. But despite broadly supporting the thrust of National's economic management of New Zealand, I certainly had my differences. None more so than the unsustainable binge on mass-immigration to artificially grow the economy.

The mass-importation of glorified slave labour, chiefly through the shonky low-value student visa industry, has kept a cynical brake on wage growth for low-income earners, particularly in the service industry.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Bill English was the "embodiment of grace, respect and dignity" when delivering a concession speech on Thursday night.

I am very pleased the Labour-New Zealand First coalition will slam the brakes on this gratuitous non-citizen net migration. Stripping work entitlements from student visas would be a useful start to return the sector to its original intent of "providing education and then the student goes home".

READ MORE:

* Mike Yardley: Labour and Ardern big on rhetoric

* Mike Yardley: Jacinda Ardern, Bill English let off the leash

* Jacinda Ardern's 'relentless positivity' campaign was naive

* Mike Yardley: The futility of trying to read Winston's tea leaves

Despite only being several months old, the Canterbury Economic Development Strategy looks like it's going to need a major rehash, given its stated goal is to attract 25,000 foreign students, up from the current annual rate of 11,000. Curbing immigration, notwithstanding the legitimate need to fill critical skill shortages from off-shore, will add extra impetus to give those 9000 disengaged young Cantabrians, not in employment, education or training, a hell of a hurry up.

National wised up to this gaping scrapheap far too late in the piece; Labour and New Zealand First won't tolerate so many young people frittering their lives away. If they have to be dragged kicking and screaming into the real world of work and reward – and off welfare, so be it.

However, a major fly in that ointment is the referendum bauble for the Greens on legalising cannabis for personal use. This is mana from heaven for those idle dopeheads who currently place greater value on having a joint, than getting a job.

The Green Party base is over-populated by pot-heads, and this concession is proof positive that they're just as pre-occupied by cannabis as they are about climate change.

Jacinda Ardern recently argued, "people shouldn't be imprisoned for smoking cannabis". This of course is a nonsense argument, wreathed in urban mythology. As the Police Association boss, Chris Cahill, recently stated: "The vast majority of possession of cannabis offences are add-ons to more serious offending, whether it be burglary or organised crime."

The issues are far too complex for a yes-no referendum. Is New Zealand on the incongruous cusp of being "Smokefree by 2020", while legitimising dope at the same time?

Locally, it's disappointing that despite Labour's strong level of electoral support in Christchurch, the next government will have the lowest number of Canterbury cabinet ministers in many decades – just one.

I've known Megan Woods since our high school debating days. And I have no doubt she will prove to be a passionate and effective Regeneration Minister, demanding in an up-tick in anchor project pace.

Similarly, the New Zealand First-inspired focus on returning "revenue to the regions" poses as a bonanza for our councils with low-rating bases.

Despite being emphatically eclipsed for the party vote by Bill English, Ardern is an extraordinary talent. Set to be sworn in as New Zealand's 40th Prime Minister, she is already wearing the mantle of high office with sure-footed zeal and sparkle. You don't have to have voted for her to wish her well.

Similarly, English's dependable leadership and service will not be forgotten. He was the embodiment of grace, respect and dignity when delivering a big-hearted and charitable concession speech on Thursday night. He is a true patriot.

We are blessed to live in a country that not just enjoys a peaceful, but swift, transition in power, despite the foibles of MMP. The fact that a government took shape just 12 days after all votes had been counted underscores the unseemly churlishness of so many journalists, who rushed to crucify Peters for so supposedly taking so long.

We don't know how lucky we are.

* Mike Yardley is a Christchurch based political commentator and travel writer.