# How's this election different?

> Election 2026: Kingmakers shift as Opportunity Party emerges.
- Title: How's this election different? · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: Election 2026: Kingmakers shift as Opportunity Party emerges. New Zealand's 2026 election features Opportunity Party as potential kingmakers after New…
- Keywords: new zealand first, opportunity party, chris hipkins, winston peters, christopher luxon, mmp election, coalition politics, election 2026, politics, news, How's, election
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1679595/how-s-this-election-different-disgruntlement-opportunity-and-first-termitis
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-01T22:52:26+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: new zealand first, opportunity party, chris hipkins, winston peters, christopher luxon, mmp election, coalition politics, election 2026, politics, news
## 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
## Key takeaway

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.