Deciding my Party Vote 2026 would have to be the most difficult choice I’ve had to make over the last few elections. This is a slightly edited email I wrote to my kids:
Hi all,
Some of you have asked who I am voting for this election. With regards to the Party Vote, quite frankly, I have been conflicted and undecided.
I have read a great deal, have my usual very strong opinions, and have no problem with being out of step with the majority. I lean unashamedly towards the right, conservative side of the spectrum, both socially and economically. A Labour-led coalition would be disastrous for NZ on both counts. Tax and spend, and give away “free” stuff.
https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bribe_o_meter
Voting is never about picking the winner, and there is no such thing as a wasted vote. I have always voted for the person or the party who most reflects my own values. This has sometimes meant voting for a party who I don’t expect to get into Parliament. Sometimes it comes down to choosing the lesser of the evils on offer. It’s not that I’m a swinging voter, but my vote has always been looking for a home.
https://vote.nz/2026-general-election/voting-in-the-election/party-lists
I won’t be voting for National. They didn’t follow through on key promises of reducing the bureaucracy and they were anti ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill, which would have helped define the Treaty, rather than destroy it, as advocated by other parties. Luxon said there was nothing (nothing!!) in the Bill that he liked. National tends to sit on the fence, trying to keep everyone happy, and in the process gives away too much to those who won’t compromise. They need both ACT and NZ First to keep them from straying further to the left. (The centre is now well left of where it used to be).
That leaves me the following:
NZ First: In the past, I have absolutely rejected Winston Peters, Shane Jones, Ron Mark etc. I’ve had to change my opinion about Winston, given his conduct in the last election, the coalition negotiations, and his role in Foreign Affairs. He still spouts off (unsurprisingly more so since we’ve hit election season) but in the last three years, he has been much more restrained. A Nationalist, he’ll happily tell you what you want to hear. A populist party, which has been quite strategic in selecting their list. Alfred Ngaro, whom I greatly respect, is in at number five, and almost certain to be returned to Parliament.
Conservative Party NZ: Have been around a long while. Have reformed since Colin Craig blew up, and have been consistent in their messaging. No chance of getting into Parliament, but generally align with my own values.
ACT: Libertarian, free-market, socially liberal. David Seymour is a smart thinker.
Vision NZ: Led by Hannah Tamaki. Brian Tamaki has been less vocal this time round. I support a lot of what they do in the community, but their rhetoric lets them down, much like Trump.
NZ Loyal: Formed by Liz Gunn after Covid (2023), disbanded, resurrected. Was more of a protest group. Not a serious contender.
One source of information I trust is Bob McCoskrie from Family First.
He’s put out a well-researched list of policies and voting record of our current MPs and the Parties. Highlighted green if they align with his “Family First Values”, black if they do not. Whether or not you agree with his evaluation, he’s provided the policy and voting information for you to consider.
Especially for the tables from page 8, party leaders
And from page 16, how your current electorate MP voted.
Quick summaries:
https://www.valueyourvote.nz/party-leaders/act-party
https://www.valueyourvote.nz/party-leaders/nz-first-party
There is also a lot of policy information here:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/feature/rnz-election-policy-guide-2026
This election is truly unique in that both left and right are working within the system to create overhang seats, a legitimate ploy. If the polls and the pundits are to believed, it’s possible that we may have an overhang on both sides of the House.
There is also another possibility that I haven’t seen considered by commentators and poll interpreters, and that is that the polling on the party vote could also be reflected in the electorate vote.
It’s the overhang strategy that presents me with a conflict. Do I support Conservatives, because they most closely align with my values, or NZ First, because they are already in Parliament, have mostly been a team-player in the Coalition, and because we need them to keep National honest? (And hope that ACT also have an influence.)
So here’s my decision: my party vote will go to NZ First - And if they do end up supporting a coalition on the left, one can only hope that their voting record would be consistent, at least on the social issues.
Feel free to disagree and ask questions 😉
And lastly, just to keep it fun, some predictions:
- More than a few National and Labour electorate MPs will have their margin reduced drastically, if they are not dumped altogether.
- Much of National’s party vote will go to NZ First and ACT.
- The Left’s party vote will match the polls.
- Maori Party will get their overhang
- Opportunities will not get in. Their vote will instead go to Labour and the Greens.
- The balance of Parliament will stay roughly the same, though I fear that Labour-led might just scrape through
- NZ First will not side with Labour (if they do, they’ll be out in 2029)
Haha, election night will tell if am correct 😀
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