List of political parties in New Zealand

History

New Zealand's party system did not arise until the late 19th century. Before this, members of Parliament (MPs) stood as independent candidates, and while some MPs joined factions, these typically were formed around prominent individuals such as Julius Vogel, and did so after an election, not before.

The Liberal Party, which was formed in 1891, was New Zealand's first 'modern' political party. It was the country's sole political party until the formation of the more conservative Reform Party in 1909. The Labour Party was founded in 1916, and by 1919 these three parties dominated New Zealand politics.

The Liberal Party was succeeded by the United Party in 1928. The United and Reform parties found themselves working together more often, and they formed a coalition in 1931. After Labour won office in 1935, United and Reform formally amalgamated in 1936 to form the National Party. The first-past-the-post (FPP) plurality voting system (in use before the 1990s) entrenched a two-party system, since the two major parties usually won far more seats than their share of the overall vote.

Over the years, a number of third parties or so-called minor parties developed, notably the Social Credit Party, the New Zealand Party, the Values Party, and the Alliance. However, the FPP electoral system meant that regardless of how many votes a party gained nationwide, it could not win a seat without a plurality in a particular electorate. For example, the Social Credit Party won over 11% of the votes cast in the 1954 election but did not have a plurality in any electorate so won no seats. Similarly, in the 1984 election, the New Zealand Party received over 12% of the votes cast but also won no seats. Under such conditions, minor parties mostly performed poorly in terms of making an impact in Parliament.

In 1993, the Electoral Act 1993 was passed, introducing the mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system for the 1996 election. Now, voters cast both a party vote and an electorate vote. Any party that won at least 5% of the party vote entered Parliament, and candidates could still enter through the previous electorate pathway. This made it much easier for smaller parties to enter Parliament, but more difficult to gain elected as a non-party independent.

In the late 1990s a trend originated in New Zealand's multi-party system in which MPs sitting in Parliament increasingly switched parties (or formed breakway parties), known as "waka-jumping". This is now disallowed to maintain the integrity of the party-based proportional representation.

Registration of parties

Political parties in New Zealand can be either registered or unregistered. Registered parties must have five hundred paying members, each eligible to vote in general elections, and party membership rules.

If a party registers, it may submit a party list, enabling it to receive party votes in New Zealand's MMP electoral system. Unregistered parties can only nominate candidates for individual electorates.

, registered political parties are also entitled to spend up to $1,169,000 during the campaign for the party vote and $27,500 per electorate seat. Unregistered entities are entitled to spend up to $330,000 on general election advertising.

Current parties

Parties represented in Parliament

There are six parliamentary parties in the 54th New Zealand Parliament. The default order of this list corresponds to the number of MPs they currently have.

Registered parties outside Parliament

Parties listed in alphabetical order:

Unregistered parties

An accurate list of active unregistered parties can be difficult to determine. Any person may announce a political party, but these parties may or may not gain followers, receive any media coverage or go on to contest an election. It can also be difficult to determine when parties have ceased operating or moved away from politics.

The list below lists active and notable parties.

When a candidate stands for parliament in an electorate, they may describe themselves as 'independent' or give a party name. A candidate listing a party name is not necessarily an indication that the party exists beyond that single candidate. In the 2023 general election, single candidates stood under the party names of Economic Euthenics, Future Youth, the Human Rights Party, the New World Order McCann Party, the New Zealand Sovereignty Party, the Northland Party, and the Republic of New Zealand Party. Two candidates stood under each of Not A Party (NAP), Protect & Prosper New Zealand Party, and Workers Now.

Historical parties

Parties that held seats

Parties that never held seats

Because New Zealand does not require political parties to be registered, any person can announce a political party, though it may not receive media coverage or contest an election. It can also be difficult to determine when such parties have ceased operating or moved away from politics. The list below is limited to notable parties understood to be no longer operating.

References

Notes

References

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2. (21 July 2015). "The party system develops, 1891 to 1935".
3. Wilson, John. (1 April 2020). "Liberal to Labour".
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8. (28 April 2021). "1984: Politics and boxing lessons". [[Stuff (website).
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10. (20 June 2012). "Impact of MMP".
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18. Piper, Denise. (18 March 2022). "'We stand for democracy': Ex-National MP Matt King launches anti-mandate party". [[Stuff (website).
19. "The Democratic Alliance of New Zealand Aoetaoroa".
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24. (26 December 1997). "United Party Awaiting Opportunities". [[Otago Daily Times]].
25. (2002). "Political Parties in New Zealand: A Study of Ideological and Organisational Transformation". University of Canterbury.
26. (16 July 2002). "The man for whom the worm turned up trumps". [[The New Zealand Herald]].
27. (1997). "Part I - Summary of Party List and Electorate Candidate Seats". Electoral Commission.
28. "Summary of Overall Results". Electoral Commission.
29. "Summary of Overall Results". [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand).
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31. (14 March 2003). "Registration of political party cancelled".
32. (31 January 2009). "Logo no go, Nelson no go, and same goes for 1080".
33. (March 2014). "NZRP Website".
34. "Register of political parties".
35. "New Zealand Public Party kicks off".
36. Mark Peters. (10 July 2020). "Global 'plandemic'". [[Gisborne Herald]].
37. (9 July 2020). "COVID-19 gives Billy TK the UN red flag blues". Waatea News.
38. Charlotte Jones. (9 July 2020). "Public party preaches to Opotiki". Opotiki News.
39. (16 July 2020). "Public Party praying for electoral lifeline". Waatea News.
40. Thomas Coughlan. (26 July 2020). "Jami-Lee Ross looks to Te Tai Tokerau as he plots journey back to Parliament". [[Stuff (website).