Under the MMP system, New Zealanders have two votes to elect members of parliament (MPs). The first vote is for a candidate from a geographic electoral district. The second is the party vote for the political party the voter wants to form the government[i].

It stands to reason that usually a voter would vote for an electorate candidate from their preferred party, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, a voter will split their vote between a preferred electoral candidate and a preferred political party. For example, they may vote for a Green party electoral candidate and a Labor, National or other political party vote.

The practice of a voter splitting their vote has been around since the MMP system was introduced in 1996[ii]. Te Pāti Maori, is calling on its supporters to use their electorate vote for its candidates in the Māori electorates, but to party vote for either Labor or the Greens. Party leaders argue this is the best means of increasing the number of Māori MPs, ensuring an independent Māori voice in Parliament and changing the government[iii].

On the other hand, some wealthy New Zealanders, along with two of the minor right wing parties are openly advertising to encourage voters to split their vote in favor of New Zealand First and the ACT party. This tactic, could sway the election result in favor of the current right wing coalition government and return them to power.

Green MP Scott Willis claims that there “are several figures or groups in a co-ordinated campaign to encourage New Zealanders to give their electorate vote to the National candidate and their party vote to coalition partners ACT and NZ First[iv]. Willis says, “I think it’s evident to everyone that wealthy donors are influencing this election and have been for some time.”[v]  Radio New Zealand reports, that wealthy New Zealand businessman, Harry Mowbray, created a website encouraging vote-splitting. He hasn’t denied this and says the MMP electoral system is a “complete dog”[vi]. He also attempted to pay Green MPs $200,000 if they could prove climate change is real, and a threat to humanity[vii].  The New Zealand Electoral Commission is investigating Mowbray’s interference in the election, and for the time being his website has been taken down.

Vote splitting (some call it tactical or strategic voting) could see an overhung parliament, whereby more people are elected than the current 120 seats available to be filled. According to a Radio New Zealand report “creating a substantial parliamentary overhang – based on a partisan strategy that influences the formation of the next government – risks eroding public confidence in the electoral system in general. It could also create a Parliament that doesn’t reflect the party vote”[viii].

While the level of corporate and financial influence on New Zealand’s election, isn’t on the same crooked level as seen in United States elections; there’s enough to flag a warning that New Zealand’s electoral system is open to contamination, and a similar kind of debasement, if it isn’t tightened up.

[i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_system_of_New_Zealand

[ii] https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1872528/just-politics-or-the-opposite-of-clever-the-risks-and-rewards-of-strategic-voting

[iii] https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1872528/just-politics-or-the-opposite-of-clever-the-risks-and-rewards-of-strategic-voting

[iv] https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361053225/wealthy-businessman-offered-green-mp-200000-prove-humans-caused-climate-change

[v] https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361053225/wealthy-businessman-offered-green-mp-200000-prove-humans-caused-climate-change

[vi] https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2235548/harry-mowbray-s-split-your-vote-website-probed-by-electoral-commission

[vii] https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361053225/wealthy-businessman-offered-green-mp-200000-prove-humans-caused-climate-change

[viii] https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1872528/just-politics-or-the-opposite-of-clever-the-risks-and-rewards-of-strategic-voting