From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m 10s
How's this election different?
Election 2026: Kingmakers shift as Opportunity Party emerges.
In brief
Election 2026: Kingmakers shift as Opportunity Party emerges. New Zealand's 2026 election features Opportunity Party as potential kingmakers after New Zealand First and Labour rule out coalitions, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon dismissing their viability. Originally reported by RNZ.
Kingmaker title shifts
New Zealand First initially held the kingmaker title but Opportunity Party now holds the balance of power in polls.
“Initially Winston Peters' New Zealand First was given the title of "kingmaker" but more recently the title has gone to the Opportunity Party led by Qiulae Wong”
Coalition calcification
New Zealand First and Labour have ruled out coalitions with vehemence over ideological differences.
“Winston Peters has posted his party "won't do a deal with Labour" because "the left are full of woke self-confessed communists"”
Prime Minister's stance
Christopher Luxon dismisses Opportunity Party as viable, calling them a party with extreme tax policies and a threat to his government.
“We don't want to work with them … they're as centrist as I am an All Black”
Editorial challenge
RNZ Political Editors say Luxon's dismissal of Opportunity is nonsense, citing his own coalition with the party proposing BNZ buyback.
“There is no planet on which Christopher Luxon does not pick up the phone if he needs to”
Coalition preferences
National would prefer to form a coalition with ACT and Opportunity over ACT and New Zealand First if Opportunity wins.
“Because he doesn't want right-wing voters flirting with that option”
Election dynamics
Current polling shows Labour and National at 28 percent each, a combined vote of 56 percent for the first time under MMP.
“Current polling has Labour and National at 28 percent each, a combined vote for 56 percent”
The essence
New Zealand's 2026 election features Opportunity Party as potential kingmakers after New Zealand First and Labour rule out coalitions, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon dismissing their viability.
