NZ Political Parties

The New Zealand National Party is a centre-right party founded in 1936. It emphasises free-market economics, lower taxes, individual responsibility, and strong law enforcement. National typically supports business-friendly policy, fiscal restraint, and a pragmatic approach to social policy.

New Zealand Labour is a centre-left party founded in 1916 from the trade union movement. It prioritises social welfare, workers' rights, public services, and reducing inequality.

The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand was founded in 1990 from the Values Party tradition. It combines environmental policy with progressive social policy — climate action, income support, housing, and Te Tiriti commitments.

ACT New Zealand is a right-libertarian party founded in 1994. It advocates for minimal government, personal freedom, free-market economics, and substantial reduction in government spending and regulation.

New Zealand First was founded by Winston Peters in 1993 after he left National. It takes populist, nationalist positions — supporting NZ manufacturing, restricting immigration, opposing co-governance, and advocating for Māori electoral reform.

Te Pāti Māori was re-established in 2004 following the foreshore and seabed controversy. It advocates for Māori self-determination (tino rangatiratanga), Treaty-based governance, Māori language and culture, and redistributive economic policy.

Te Mana (the Mana Movement) was founded in 2011 by Hone Harawira after he split from Te Pāti Māori. It holds more radical positions than TPM — prioritising Māori sovereignty, anti-poverty policy, and opposition to corporate power. Harawira held the Te Tai Tokerau Māori electorate from 2011–2014. The party contests Māori electorates at each election but has not returned to Parliament since 2014.

The Opportunity Party is a new political force targeting the 2026 election with a platform of Unity, Innovation, and Nature. Led by impact-business founder and climate leader Qiulae Wong, the party champions evidence-based policy, ocean health, clean energy, tax reform, and direct citizens' voice in government. It aims to break through the 5% MMP threshold with 150,000 votes.

New Conservative (originally the Conservative Party, founded 2011) advocates for traditional family values, fiscal conservatism, and opposition to Treaty-based co-governance. It holds socially conservative positions on abortion, euthanasia, and marriage, alongside support for free enterprise. Has contested every election since 2011 without reaching the 5% party vote threshold.

The Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party was founded in 1996 and is one of New Zealand's longest-running minor parties. Its primary platform is cannabis legalisation and regulation, alongside broader drug law reform, harm reduction, and personal freedom. Has contested every election since 1996 but has never held a seat or reached the 5% threshold.

Democracy NZ was founded in 2022 by Matt King, former National MP for Northland. It advocates for binding citizen-initiated referendums on major policy questions, opposition to Treaty-based co-governance, tighter immigration controls, and reduced government spending. Contested the 2023 election, winning approximately 0.5% of the party vote.