March 2023 New Zealand general election

The March 2023 New Zealand general election was held on 25 March 2023. Voters elected 120 members (plus 5 overhang seats) to the House of Representatives for the first time since 2017.

The governing libertarian-right ACT New Zealand party, led by Prime Minister Lady_Aya, suffered a large swing against them, remaining the dominant party of the right-wing but losing 9.6 percentage points. ACT won 35 electorates, five more than they were entitled to based off their party vote, resulting in five overhang seats being added to Parliament. The newly-founded democratic socialist Together for All party, led by alisonhearts, emerged as the largest party of the left-wing, winning most electorates in the cities of Wellington and Christchurch, and becoming the second-largest party with 22 seats.

Te Pāti Māori, an indigenous-rights based party which governed in coalition with ACT, lost more than half its vote, falling to 10.3%, but winning all seven of the Māori seats. The left-wing Labour Party entered parliament after failing to contest the last election, winning the rural electorate of Waitaki and gaining 13 seats. The liberal-centrist Globe Party came in fifth-place, winning 12 seats. The South Island People's Party, a party focused on increased autonomy for the South Island, won six electorate seats in the South Island, coming sixth nationwide, and winning 8 seats.

Newly-founded Change NZ, a radical-centrist party, came in seventh with 8 seats. The National Party, traditionally New Zealand's largest right-wing party and the second-largest party in the previous election, lost a significant amount of its vote, losing all electorate seats and falling to eighth place, winning 8 seats. b1a6fb08db's Populist Party failed to enter parliament, placing below the 5% threshold and not winning any electorates.

After a ten-day coalition forming period, Together for All formed a coalition government with the Labour Party, with Te Pāti Māori, the Globe Party, and the National Party providing support. This resulted in alisonhearts becoming Prime Minister.

Background
A debate on the dissolution of the Model New Zealand Parliament sim began on 27 January 2023. A lot could be written about the state of MNZP prior to this, but it can perhaps best be summed up by Governor-General BestinBounds, who said "its no secret the sim is not in a great place" in the post on the debate. Ultimately, the sim voted quite overwhelmingly not to dissolve, with the results on 14 February being 13-4 against dissolution. MNZP remained (and probably remains) in quite a precarious position, however, with activity being extremely low and almost singlehandedly driven by a few people.

On 28 February, fourtipsymetalpukeko was elected as the new Chief Electoral Officer, and thus tasked with running the upcoming election. The election was called by the new CEO on 2 March, who set the date for Saturday 25 March. On 12 March, two new parties were registered -- Change NZ and Together for All. Change NZ described itself as a "centrist party" focused on "compromise rather than party politics", while Together described itself as "a party of the progressive-left", similar to European parties such as Podemos and DiEM25.

On 13 March, former Country Party MP purplewave_ announced the formation of the South Island People's Party, advocating for the independence of the South Island. It was registered later in the day. The New York Times reported on 13 March that the National Party intended to "merge into whatever party has the best bid", however party leader TheSensibleCentre tweeted the following day that "[National] will be contesting this election". The Globe Party was registered on 14 March, and was described by party leader zhuk236 as aspiring to "deepen our relationship with the rest of the liberal world and provide better relationships between liberal democracies".

On 22 March, b1a6fb08db's Populist Party was registered, describing itself as "a combination of several elements of the left and right". Socialist Aotearoa, which did not stand any candidates in the election despite having one sitting MP, was deregistered on the same day due to inactivity.

Electoral system
While it had been debated and discussed for a while previously, the new electoral system for the election was formally announced on 12 March 2023. For the first time in the history of MNZP, the parliament would be expanded to 120 seats, with all of New Zealand's real-life electorates being contestable by players. Each party (excluding those only contesting a certain region) would be able to have a "faceless nameless candidate" in each electorate not contested by a player.

Seats in the parliament would be determined by the party vote, with each party that either wins more than 5% of the party vote or wins one of 72 electorates eligible for seats in parliament. The electoral system is identical to that used in the real-life New Zealand Parliament.

Registered parties
Political parties registered with the Electoral Commission can contest the general election as a party. A registered party may submit a party list to contest the party vote. Unregistered parties and independents can contest the electorate vote only.

Candidates
A provisional list of candidates was released on 20 March 2023. The final list was released on 22 March.

Campaigning
The campaign period for the March 2023 general election began on 18 March, and will conclude on 24 March, making it one of the longer campaign periods in recent New Zealand history.

ACT
ACT New Zealand released their manifesto on 18 March. Titled Investing in our Future, it contained pledges to reduce GST to 10%, implement a Climate Change Act, and increase the police budget. Posters released by ACT on 20 March stated that "government should work for the taxpayers, not the freeloaders". On 21 March, ACT leader Lady_Aya called for "local solutions for local problems", contrasting ACT's proposals with that of Labour and Together for All. Speaking on 23 March, Lady_Aya called for increased equipment and training for police, and for police funding to be linked with increased population growth.

Lady_Aya closed the ACT campaign in a 24 March livestream from her Whitianga home, touting ACT's record in government as "a responsible, common sense party" which could govern well and build New Zealand's economy, and stating that ACT would always represent New Zealand's taxpayers.

Change NZ
Change NZ's party manifesto was released on 22 March, named Change Politics For Good. It contained 10 key guarantees, including mandating that all governments include two-thirds of MPs in Parliament, holding a referendum on the creation of a South Island parliament, and the introduction of direct elections for police commissioners. Change NZ released posters on 24 March, calling to "change politics for good" and "smash politics" respectively. Speaking to voters, party leader TheOWOTriangle called for "a government that works for everyone", stating that Change NZ was proposing "real solutions to our broken politics". In a radio interview, TheOWOTriangle touted Change NZ's plans to make government include two-thirds of MPs, which she compared to Northern Ireland, create a "citizens body", and raise teachers' wages by 50%.

Globe
The Globe Party manifesto was published on 20 March. It included a strong focus on trade, promising to create stronger trade partnerships with Asian and African democracies, negotiate a "comprehensive free trade deal" with Malaysia, and renegotiate a US trade deal. As well as that, Globe also promised to increase student visa numbers, increase financial and military support to Ukraine, and cut GST to 10% or lower.

zhuk236, the Globe Party leader, launched the party's campaign on 22 March outside Parliament House, stating that Globe believed the path out of recession was to "foster trade, immigration, and cultural exchange", and also speaking against restrictions on immigration and trade tariffs. Also on 22 March, Globe launched an outreach program to Asian-New Zealander communities, focusing on their plans to increase trade with Asian democracies and promote Asian businesses in New Zealand. On 24 March, zhuk236 spoke to farmers in Northland, stating that Globe's policy of increasing foreign trade and reducing immigration restrictions would help New Zealand's farming industry.

At a rally outside Auckland University, zhuk236 touted the Globe Party's policies of increasing student visas, negotiating a "Erasmus-style freedom of movement deal" for New Zealand students, and reducing GST. The Globe campaign closed on 24 March with a rally in Wellington, with party leader zhuk236 stating that New Zealanders were "tired of the petty nationalism, of the isolationist and nativist rhetoric", and calling for an embrace of internationalism and advancing towards globalisation.

Labour
Labour posters published on 20 March outlined the party's policies to support regional communities, including funding social services in regional communities and creating a new regional development scheme. On 21 March, Labour candidate for Waitaki model-frod disavowed ACT's "beneficiary bashing", and promised Labour would investigate increases in benefits, increase social housing supply, and introduce fair pay agreements in the workplace.

On 24 March, Labour released posters on transport policy, calling for bus and train drivers to be paid a living wage and for half-price public transport to be issued to community services card holders and those under 25. Labour Party leader Gregor_The_Beggar visited the Ports of Auckland on the same day, and called for the nationalisation of New Zealand's ports, under the purview of the Shipping Corporation of New Zealand, which existed under the government of Norman Kirk. The Labour Party manifesto was published on 24 March, titled An Experienced Hand. Its policies included 50,000 new Kiwi jobs, reworking the Resource Management Act, expanding rural firefighting and ambulance services, and introducing a Dawn Raids Commission.

Māori
At the Manurewa Marae on 23 March, TheTrashMan_10 launched Te Pāti Māori's campaign, calling for upholding the principles of kaitiakitanga and rangatiratanga, addressing disparities that effect Māori communities, promoting and revitalising te reo Māori, and combatting climate change. Later that day in Whanganui, TheTrashMan_10 spoke against the policies of the Globe Party, labeling globalization "new-age colonialism", and stating that Globe's policies would "entrench the pains and suffering of global capitalism". On 24 March, a video was released by Te Pāti Māori, featuring party leader TheTrashMan_10 at the plains of Aoraki. The video called for "urgent action" on climate change, advocating for an end to fossil fuel exploration, the establishment of a $1 billion Pūngao Auaha scheme for Māori-led energy projects, and a $300 million Mātai Ahuwhenua support fund for farmers. Te Pāti Māori's manifesto was released on the same day.

National
The National Party focused their campaign on keeping the South Island an integral part of New Zealand. Posters released by National on 21 March called for military force to be used to keep the South Island part of New Zealand. In a speech on 24 March, National leader TheSensibleCentre disavowed "treasonous terrorists" who wished to divide New Zealand, pledging to "keep this country whole". National released posters on the same day calling to "keep the South". The National Party manifesto contained three "simple principles" -- keeping New Zealand united, cutting red tape, and not listening to "whingers".

Populist
b1a6fb08db's Populist Party released their manifesto on 24 March. Its policies included a ban of cars in Auckland's city centre, full legalisation of recreational drugs, lowering income tax "until no tax remains", and increasing military spending. Posters released by the Populist Party called for New Zealand's military to only be used in defence of New Zealand, saying "another war in Europe? They can handle themselves." Radio ads featuring party leader b1a6fb08db touted the Populist policies of tax reduction, making prescriptions optional, and keeping paperwork on paper. Billboards from the Populist Party also advocated for increased bus services.

SIPP
The South Island People's Party campaign was opened outside party leader purplewave_'s Blenheim home on 18 March. purplewave_ called for the South Island to "govern ourselves", advocating for the establishment of a devolved parliament for the South Island. On 19 March, SIPP promised to nationalise the South Island's tourist industry, and create a sovereign wealth fund for tourism profits. Titled For the Common Good, the SIPP manifesto was released on 21 March, calling for a devolved South Island parliament, capable of nullifying North Island laws with a two-thirds majority, public recall of MPs, leaving the CPTPP, and nationalising the South Island's utilities, internet, tourism, and public transit.

The SIPP candidate for Southland, Abrokenhero, released a TikTok on 22 March, promoting the nationalisation of the South Island's public transit, and promising "frequent trains between all the major cities of South Island". At Christchurch Arena on the same day, purplewave_ called for the introduction of a capital gains tax, a land value tax, a 2% wealth tax, and a reduction of the GST to 10%.

In Dunedin's Jubilee Park, purplewave_ spoke on 23 March, calling for the nationalisation of all banks in the South Island, to be consolidated into one South Island Bank, stating "if banks are too big to fail, they are too big to exist". On the same day, Abrokenhero visited Greymouth in response to alisonhearts' speech in the town, labeling her an "Auckland hippie", and calling for the creation of a South Island parliament.

Together
Together for All party leader alisonhearts launched the party's campaign at the Manukau Institute of Technology on 18 March, focusing on Together's pledge to introduce a basic income of $500 a week for those over the age of 16. Together for All's party manifesto was released on the same day, including policies of bank nationalisation, a 30% capital gains tax, universal public healthcare, defunding non-government schools, and humanitarian and medical support to Ukraine. In a 20 March speech at Victoria Park in Auckland, alisonhearts promised that Together for All would remove restrictions on abortion and expand access to hormone replacement therapy. Visiting Kaitaia on 21 March, alisonhearts called to "bring back union power", and remove "unnecessary restrictions" on when unions can strike.

In the South Island town of Greymouth on 23 March, alisonhearts disavowed South Island nationalism, calling for the rejection of "petty divisions" and for common cooperation. The Together for All campaign closed on 24 March in Christchurch, with alisonhearts advocating for an end to homelessness, expanding access to women's healthcare, and action on climate change.

Debates
A debate was hosted between the party leaders of Labour, National, Te Pāti Māori, and Together for All on 23 March at 10pm, held outside Parliament House and moderated by Aniwa Hepehi. Stuff happened during it.

Results
The results of the election were released from 21:00 on 25 March 2023 onwards, with final results being released at approximately 22:20. The party vote was remarkably fragmented, with no party gaining more than a quarter. ACT New Zealand won a narrow plurality of the vote, polling 24.5%. The new Together for All party emerged as the second-largest in the election, winning 22.6% of the party vote and a plurality of the nationwide electorate vote.

Both Te Pāti Māori, the Labour Party and Globe Party polled a similar amount, winning 10.3%, 10.2% and 9.5% of the vote respectively, resulting in the former two gaining 13 seats, and the latter 12 seats. The South Island People's Party, Change NZ, and the National Party polled 6.9%, 6.4% and 6.3% of the vote respectively, all winning 8 seats.

On an electorate level, ACT New Zealand and Together for All claimed most of the electorate seats. Despite not gaining a plurality of the electorate votes, ACT won 35 electorate seats. This was five more than it was entitled to based off its share of the party vote, creating a five-seat overhang in Parliament. ACT's support was concentrated in Auckland's North Shore and the provincial North Island, but it also won seats in central Auckland, all the seats in Hamilton, and seats on Christchurch's fringes.

Together for All's electorates were mainly located in the cities, with it winning most seats in Auckland's west and south, all seats in Wellington and Palmerston North, and most seats in Christchurch's centre. It only won three seats in regional New Zealand - Ōtaki, Rangitata, and Wairarapa, the latter two owing to campaigns from players. The South Island People's Party managed to claim six electorates in the rural South Island, and Te Pāti Māori won all seven Māori electorates. The Labour Party won a single electorate seat, that being the rural South Island electorate of Waitaki, due to a strong campaign from model-frod.

Government formation
The election results left no party anywhere close to commanding a majority on their own, necessitating the formation of a coalition. The two largest parties, ACT and Together, commanded 35 and 28 seats respectively, while the Māori and Labour parties won 13 each, the Globe Party 12, and SIPP, Change NZ, and National 8 each. New York Times correspondent Alison Harris opined that, after the results, "a Together-led government appears likely", with its most natural partners being Labour and Te Pāti Māori, but that such an agreement would require working with either Globe or both SIPP and Change NZ. Harris also remarked that the incumbent government would only require the support of two of Globe, SIPP, Change NZ and National to command a majority in New Zealand's parliament.

On 26 March, SIPP leader purplewave_ tweeted that his party would be "willing to form government with the left or the right". National leader TheSensibleCentre also tweeted that she would "form government with anyone" who rejected South Island independence. Together leader alisonhearts likewise tweeted that her party had a "clear mandate" to lead the next government, and that they would be beginning negotiations with "like-minded parties".

On 27 March, ACT leader Lady_Aya released a statement confirming her party had begun negotiations with Labour, Globe, SIPP, and Change NZ to form a government, which would have 76 out of 125 seats in New Zealand's parliament. purplewave_ released a statement on the same day, stating that his party had made it a provisio to hold a South Island devolution referendum, with the requirement that other parties in government remain neutral on it, however this had been refused. alisonhearts responded to this statement later in a day, confirming that her party had been in negotiations with SIPP but stating that they had not rejected party neutrality on a devolution referendum, but rather the proposition that all members of government were to remain neutral on a devolution referendum.

At the conclusion of the ten-day coalition forming period on 4 April, alisonhearts held a press conference in the Beehive theatrette, in which she announced that Together for All had formed a coalition government with the New Zealand Labour Party, with Te Pāti Māori and the Globe Party providing support on matters of confidence and supply, and the New Zealand National Party providing full support.

Party manifestos

 * ACT New Zealand: Investing in our Future (archive link)
 * b1a6fb08db's Populist Party: Manifesto for the March 2023 election (archive link)
 * Change NZ: Change Politics For Good
 * Globe Party: manifesto (archive link)
 * New Zealand Labour Party: An Experienced Hand (archive link)
 * New Zealand National Party: manifesto (archive link)
 * South Island People's Party: For the Common Good (archive link)
 * Te Pāti Māori: Pukapuka Kaupapa Here a Te Pāti Māori (archive link)
 * Together for All: March 2023 election manifesto (archive link)