Kotahi Party

The Kotahi Party (Māori: Te Pāti Kotahi) is a left-wing political party in New Zealand, that is currently a component party of the Alliance.

Formation (March-May 2021)
On 1 March 2021, then-leader of the Labour Party and MP for Wellington TheTrashMan_10 announced their resignation as party leader and defection from Labour to form Te Pāti Kotahi ā Mua Aotearoa (English: The United Future Party of New Zealand), shortened to Kotahi, which they described as advocating for "a united Aotearoa standing as one to build a better society and achieve just, equitable and sustainable Tino Rangatiratanga". The party released a policy statement the following day, and was registered as the Kotahi Party on 3 March 2021.

In response to proposed strike laws from the ACT-National government, the party led a general strike on 26 March 2021. TheTrashMan_10 described the laws as "attempting to take the power to strike away from so many workers; by setting ridiculous high bars for union support and making it practically impossible for public sector workers to strike".

In opposition with Alliance (May-July 2021)
On 23 May 2021, TheTrashMan_10 announced that the Kotahi Party had voted to form the Alliance with the Community and Country parties. Alliance was registered as an umbrella party on 28 May 2021. The leadership team for the new party was announced on 9 June 2021, with Kotahi leader TheTrashMan_10 becoming an Alliance co-deputy, and Kotahi member DarrinLafayette announced as Alliance co-leader.

Elected to government (July-October 2021)
Kotahi contested the July 2021 election as part of the Alliance. Alliance ultimately won 4 seats, with Kotahi members TheTrashMan_10 and CaptainKate2258 winning the electorates of Wellington and Rohe. As part of a coalition government between Alliance, ACT, and Labour, both Kotahi MPs became cabinet ministers. TheTrashMan_10 replaced DarrinLafayette as Alliance co-leader on 19 August 2021.

Second term in government (October 2021-present)
At the October 2021 election, Kotahi's two MPs were re-elected. Both returned as cabinet ministers in the Alliance-Pirate government, with TheTrashMan_10 becoming Minister of Finance. As Minister of Finance, TheTrashMan_10 raised the minimum wage to $22.75 per hour. Their budgetary package was passed by Parliament on 14 January 2022. CaptainKate2258 chose to retire at the January 2022 election, and fellow Kotahi member model-harold failed to win her Rohe electorate. TheTrashMan_10 unsuccessfully contested the Manawatū electorate, but was elected via the Alliance list, becoming the only Kotahi MP to win at that election.