New Zealand Political Parties
A clear, up-to-date guide to the political parties of New Zealand. Compare National, Labour, the Greens, ACT, New Zealand First, and Te Pāti Māori: their ideologies and where they stand.
New Zealand uses a proportional voting system that supports a genuine multi-party landscape. The centre-right National Party and centre-left Labour Party are the two largest, but government usually depends on coalitions. ACT sits on the free-market right, New Zealand First occupies a populist and nationalist space, the Greens lead on the left, and Te Pāti Māori champions Māori rights. The current government is a coalition of National, ACT, and New Zealand First.
This guide sets out where each party stands: its history, its core ideology, and its positions on the economy, social questions, and foreign policy. Use it to understand the New Zealand political landscape, then take the test to see where your own views fall.
New Zealand National Party
Centre-right · Founded 1936
New Zealand's main centre-right party, favouring free enterprise and lower taxes, leading the current coalition government under Christopher Luxon.
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New Zealand Labour Party
Centre-left · Founded 1916
New Zealand's main centre-left party, rooted in the labour movement, now in opposition under Chris Hipkins.
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Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
Left-wing · Founded 1990
New Zealand's left-wing environmental party, combining climate action with social justice and Treaty-based politics.
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ACT New Zealand
Right-wing, classical liberal · Founded 1994
A free-market, classical liberal party favouring lower taxes, smaller government, and individual freedom, and a partner in the current coalition government.
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New Zealand First
Populist, centrist to right · Founded 1993
A populist, nationalist party led by veteran politician Winston Peters, often a kingmaker in coalition governments.
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Te Pāti Māori
Left-wing, Indigenous rights · Founded 2004
A party dedicated to Māori rights and self-determination, standing on the left and holding the Māori electorate seats.
Read full profile →Where do you stand?
Take the CoreOpinion New Zealand political test to see how your views compare with these parties.
Take the New Zealand Test