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Unravelling MMP: How the 2026 election could break the voting system from two sides

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Submission: Keeping Cash Local consultation

Unravelling MMP: How the 2026 election could break the voting system from two sides

At its campaign launch in Gisborne on Sunday, Te Pāti Māori told its supporters to split their votes: candidate votes for the party, party votes for its allies on the left. A new research note by The New Zealand Initiative warns this call could set off a chain of tactical voting that kills MMP. Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

Research Note

20 August, 2026

When is equal unfair and when is it fair?

In 1961, the American writer Kurt Vonnegut published a short story called Harrison Bergeron that explored the opposing idea of enforced equal outcomes. Talent must not flourish. Read more

Dr Bryce Wilkinson ONZM

NZ Herald

20 August, 2026

Nothing gets done in NZ’s coalitions of the unwilling

When New Zealanders go to the polls on 7 November, they will be spoilt for choice. In the main, there are two larger (Labour and National) and five smaller parties (ACT, Greens, NZ First, Opportunity, Te Pāti Māori). Read more

Dr Oliver Hartwich

The Australian

19 August, 2026

The Platform: Dr Eric Crampton on Treasury's lack of economic expertise

Dr Eric Crampton talked to Sean Plunket on The Platform about Treasury's lack of economic expertise. Dr Crampton argued that Treasury can tell you more statistics about they're diversity than the economic education of their staff, begging the question if Treasury are achieving their purpose. Read more

Dr Eric Crampton

Sean Plunket

The Platform

19 August, 2026

Browse more Insights

GDP Quarterly Change:	0.49%
GDP Annual Change:	2.00%
Inflation:	3.12%
Optimal OCR:	2.31%
Optimal OCR Gap:	-0.19%
Forecasted OCR Change:	0.00%

GDP Quarterly Change:

0.49%

GDP Annual Change:

2.00%

Inflation:

3.12%

Optimal OCR:

2.31%

Optimal OCR Gap:

-0.19%

Forecasted OCR Change:

0.00%

Unravelling MMP: How the 2026 election could break the voting system from two sides

Current Topics

Submission: Keeping Cash Local consultation

New Zealand by Comparison

Submission: Draft Guidance on Regulations for Groups of Activities for Councils’ Planning and Reporting

Submission: Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendment Bill

New Zealand By Numbers

Head Start Done Right: A better way to reorganise local government

Guardrails for a Compulsory KiwiSaver

Submission: Better Regional Boundaries Bill

Half a Turnaround: Why ACC's recovery must be built on rehabilitation, not exits

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Unravelling MMP: How the 2026 election could break the voting system from two sides

When is equal unfair and when is it fair?

Nothing gets done in NZ’s coalitions of the unwilling

The Platform: Dr Eric Crampton on Treasury's lack of economic expertise

Live economic data

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Upcoming Events

Meet the team

Unravelling MMP: How the 2026 election could break the voting system from two sides

When is equal unfair and when is it fair?

Nothing gets done in NZ’s coalitions of the unwilling

The Platform: Dr Eric Crampton on Treasury's lack of economic expertise

Live economic data

Podcast: Unravelling MMP: How the 2026 election could break the voting system from two sides

Media release: Tactical voting could kill MMP

Media release: New land market watchdog a welcome check on council zoning

RNZ: Major General John Howard on the cancelling of Canberra meeting

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