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{{short description|New Zealand political party}}{{use New Zealand English|date=December 2020}}{{use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

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| lang1 = | name_lang1 = | logo = ACT New Zealand CMYK.svgACT New Zealand}}Roger Douglas|Derek Quigley}}Leader of ACT New Zealand>Leader| leader1_name = David Seymour| leader2_title = Deputy Leader| leader2_name = Brooke van Velden| leader3_title = PresidentDATE=27 JANUARY 2023 FIRST=THOMAS, Manch, Roger Douglas and Derek QuigleyNewmarket, New Zealand>Newmarket, AucklandYoung ACT2020-12-01URL=HTTPS://YOUNGACT.ORG.NZ/WEBSITE=YOUNG ACT, en-AU, | wing1_title = | wing1 = | membership_year = | membership = Classical liberalismBOSTON>FIRST1=JONATHANDATE=2003ISBN=9780864734686URL=HTTPS://BOOKS.GOOGLE.COM/BOOKS?ID=N-QL-XS9HHKC&PG=PA92AUTHOR-LINK=DAVID SEYMOURURL=HTTP://WWW.ACT.ORG.NZ/POSTS/SPEECH-OUR-CLASSICAL-LIBERAL-TRIBEPUBLISHER=ACT NEW ZEALANDDATE=23 FEBRUARY 2015ARCHIVE-DATE=11 FEBRUARY 2017Right-libertarianismPARTY PROFILE: ACT PARTY — NZ ELECTION 2020ACCESS-DATE=2020-09-25QUOTE=THE ACT PARTY (RōPÅ« ACT) IS A RIGHT-WING LIBERTARIAN PARTY THAT ADVOCATES FREE MARKET POLICIES AND REDUCING THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT.ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20201018073035/HTTPS://POLICY.NZ/PARTIES/ACT-PARTYTITLE=ACT’S DAVID SEYMOUR: ‘I DON’T REALLY CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK AND I’M STILL QUITE SUCCESSFUL’DATE=2020-08-08WEBSITE=THE GUARDIANTITLE=RADICAL RIGHT: VOTERS AND PARTIES IN THE ELECTORAL MARKETISBN=9781139446426URL=HTTPS://BOOKS.GOOGLE.COM/BOOKS?ID=GS4BTVG0HXGC&PG=PA285DATE=2005ConservatismPERRY DATE= 14 AUGUST 2014 URL= HTTPS://WWW.WASHINGTONEXAMINER.COM/RACISM-MARS-NEW-ZEALAND-ELECTION-CAMPAIGN ACCESS-DATE= 13 DECEMBER 2020, 27 NOVEMBER 2011 >TITLE= NZ VOTES FOR STABILITY AFTER CHAOS WORK= NEWS.COM.AU URL= HTTPS://WWW.ECONOMIST.COM/BANYAN/2014/10/18/THIRD-TERM-LUCKY ACCESS-DATE= 13 DECEMBER 2020, SMITH >FIRST= IAN TITLE= FARMERS PROTEST ‘UNWORKABLE REGULATIONS’ OF NEW ZEALAND’S PROPOSED FARM LEVY WORK= EURONEWS URL= HTTPS://WWW.LEMONDE.FR/EN/INTERNATIONAL/ARTICLE/2023/11/24/INCOMING-NEW-ZEALAND-PM-UNVEILS-COALITION-GOVERNMENT_6284566_4.HTML ACCESS-DATE= 17 APRIL 2024, }}Right-wing politics>Right-wing| international = ACCESS-DATE=2 MARCH 2024, New Zealand House of Representatives>House of Representatives11hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}| symbol = | flag = act.org.nz}}| footnotes = }}{{Conservatism in New Zealand|Parties}}ACT New Zealand (),WEB, 2024-05-21, RōpÅ« ACT - New Zealand Parliament,www.parliament.nz/mi/mps-and-electorates/political-parties/act-party/, 2024-05-11, New Zealand Parliament {{!, Pāremata Aotearoa |language=mi}} also known as the ACT Party or simply ACT ({{IPAc-en|’|æ|k|t}}), is a right-wing, classical-liberal and conservative political party in New Zealand. It is currently led by David Seymour, and is in coalition with the National and New Zealand First parties, as part of the Sixth National government.NEWS, 27 November 2023, ‘Strong, productive, unified’: Luxon sworn in as PM, en-NZ, The New Zealand Herald,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/national-nz-first-act-coalition-christopher-luxon-to-be-sworn-in-as-prime-minister-today-along-with-ministers-new-government-kicks-into-gear/4ACAOUV6RBBOPJTNUJBF3UWYLM/, ACT is an acronym of the name of the Association of Consumers and Taxpayers, a pressure group that was founded in 1993 by former National Party MP Derek Quigley and former Labour Party MP Roger Douglas, a figure of the New Right who served as minister of finance under the Fourth Labour Government. Douglas’ neoliberal economic policies, dubbed Rogernomics, transformed New Zealand’s economy from a protectionist one into a free market through extensive deregulation.After Labour lost the 1990 election in a wipeout and its neoliberal faction lost influence, ACT was built mostly by Douglas’ former party supporters as a new political party for 1996. The introduction of proportional representation gave minor parties a greatly increased chance of getting into parliament. Former Labour MP Richard Prebble unexpectedly won the safe Labour seat of Wellington Central, and served as ACT party leader from after the election until 2004. Under Prebble’s leadership the party held nine seats in Parliament. Rodney Hide served as leader from 2004 to 2011. ACT was briefly led by former National Party leader Don Brash for the 2011 election, after which the party caucus was reduced to one seat.ACT gave support to the Fifth National Government from {{NZ election link year|2008}} to 2017. It is currently led by David Seymour, who became the party’s leader in October 2014 and has been an elected MP of the party since September 2014. During the 2017 election, ACT retained its sole seat in Epsom and received 0.5% of the party vote.WEB, 2017 General Election – Official Result,www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/, 7 October 2017, Electoral Commission (New Zealand), New Zealand Electoral Commission, ACT rebounded in the 2020 election, winning 10 seats with 7.6% of the party vote.NEWS, Explore 2020 New Zealand election results by overall party vote and at each local electorate level., Stuff,interactives.stuff.co.nz/2020/10/election-2020-results-live/, 27 September 2023, In the 2023 election ACT increased its share of the party vote to 9% and picked up an additional seat–the party’s best result since its founding.WEB, Official count – Overall Results,electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/, Electoral Commission (New Zealand), Electoral Commission, 20 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231107112928/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/, 7 November 2023, 3 November 2023, live, Young ACT is an associated student wing.WEB, 2020-07-23, Young Act sexual abuse allegations,www.newsroom.co.nz/page/young-act-sexual-abuse-allegations, 2020-07-22, Newsroom, en-AU, NEWS, Maynard, Roger, 26 August 2023, New Zealand is ready for real change, says kingmaker party leader, The Telegraph,www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/08/26/new-zealand-change-libertarian-act-leader/, 28 September 2023,

Principles

{{liberalism sidebar}}According to former party leader Rodney Hide, ACT’s values are “individual freedom, personal responsibility, doing the best for our natural environment and for smaller, smarter government in its goals of a prosperous economy, a strong society, and a quality of life that is the envy of the world”.Rodney Hide {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060920224737www.act.org.nz/news-article.aspx?id=27624|date=20 September 2006}}, “Speech to ACT Auckland Regional Conference, 30 July 2006” ACT states that it adheres to classical-liberal and small (or limited) government principles coupled with what the party considers as a high regard for individual freedom and personal responsibility.ACT’s Pledge To New Zealand, reported on 19 May 2008 ACT sets out its values:

• The principal object of the Party is to promote an open and benevolent society in which individual New Zealanders are free to achieve their full potential.WEB, ACT Party,www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/political-parties/act-party/, NZ Parliament,
• That individuals are the rightful owners of their own lives and therefore have inherent freedoms and responsibilities.
• That the proper purpose of government is to protect such freedoms and not to assume such responsibilities.WEB,www.act.org.nz/policy_ataglance.aspx, 5 January 2007, ACT Policy at a Glance,www.act.org.nz/policy_ataglance.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20070105163327www.act.org.nz/policy_ataglance.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20070105163327www.act.org.nz/policy_ataglance.aspx, 5 January 2007,
• All people should be equal before the law regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion or political belief.WEB,www.act.org.nz/principles, Principles, ACT,
• Freedom of expression is essential to a free society and must be promoted, protected and preserved without restriction other than for incitement, criminal nuisance or defamation.
• Citizenship and permanent residency should be subject to applicants affirming New Zealand’s values.

Policies and ideology

(File:ACT New Zealand 2003 logo.gif|thumb|upright|left|ACT has described itself as ‘The Liberal Party’.)ACT has been characterised as a conservative, classical liberal and libertarian party, although its stances have changed under successive leadership and the party’s support base has drawn a “big tent” and a “broad church” of voters.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} ACT’s platform featured conservative populist policies under former leaders Richard Prebble (in office: 1996–2004) and Rodney Hide (2004–2011).NEWS, ACT’s battle for significance, 4 October 2017, Newsroom (website), Newsroom,www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/10/03/51394/acts-battle-for-significance#, Under the leadership of David Seymour (in office from 2014 onwards), commentators have identified a shift in policy to a more libertarian outlook.WEB, Duncan, Grant, The rise of ACT in 2020 highlights tensions between the party’s libertarian and populist traditions,theconversation.com/the-rise-of-act-in-2020-highlights-tensions-between-the-partys-libertarian-and-populist-traditions-147170, The Conversation, 7 October 2022, 17 December 2020, en, Seymour has stated that he does not view populism as the way to govern a country or to stimulate growth, and has accused the centre-left New Zealand Labour Party of engaging in populism in its policies on business, spending and tax.WEB,www.act.org.nz/populism_is_not_a_plan_we_need_a_roadmap_to_recovery, Populism is not a plan – we need a roadmap to recovery, ACT, WEB,www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3495338770530846&id=154331724631584, David Seymour, Facebook, {{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}}{{better source needed|date=February 2023}} The ACT Party emphasises the importance of property rights.PRESS RELEASE, 14 June 2022, ACT the only party to support property rights,www.act.org.nz/act-the-only-party-to-support-property-rights, ACT New Zealand, 27 November 2023, ‘ACT is the only party in Parliament who truly supports property rights [...],’ says ACT Leader David Seymour., WEB,www.act.org.nz/policies, ACT’s policies, 2022, ACT New Zealand, 27 November 2023, ACT believes protecting the safety and property of its citizens is the government’s first and most important job., ACT wants to reduce or remove some government programmes which it sees as unnecessary and wasteful, and to increase self-reliance by encouraging individuals to take responsibility to pay for services traditionally paid for by governments. Under leader Rodney Hide, ACT New Zealand had primarily focused on two main policy areas: taxation and crime (law-and-order issues). At the 2011 general election, ACT advocated lowering tax rates and also supported something approaching a flat tax, in which tax rates would not be graduated based on wealth or income, so that every taxpayer would pay the same proportion of their income in tax. The flat tax-rate that ACT proposed was approximately 15%, with no tax on the first $25,000 for those who opt out of state-provided accident, sickness and healthcare cover.WEB,www.act.org.nz/taxation-policy, ACT Taxation Policy, 25 July 2009, dead,www.act.org.nz/taxation-policy," title="web.archive.org/web/20120222055801www.act.org.nz/taxation-policy,">web.archive.org/web/20120222055801www.act.org.nz/taxation-policy, 22 February 2012, {{As of|2021|alt=As at 2021}}, the party proposed reducing GST and decreasing the marginal tax rate paid by those on the median wage, but did not advocate a flat tax rate.WEB, A Middle Income Tax Cut,www.act.org.nz/middle_income_tax_cut, ACT, 10 January 2021, en, 19 January 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210119203421/https://www.act.org.nz/middle_income_tax_cut, dead, During the 2020 general election, the ACT party campaigned on a broad policy platform. It prioritised economic recovery (see: {{slink|COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand|Long-term effects}}), keeping national debt low, and signing up to a CANZUK agreement which would enable free movement of people and goods between the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada and Australia. The party wants to protect freedom of expression and to limit funding for universities that do not uphold freedom of speech on campus. It supports immigration while it calls for compulsory measures for immigrants to assimilate and for limiting citizenship or permanent-residency status to those who pledge to uphold the values of New Zealand.WEB,www.act.org.nz/policies, Policies, ACT,web.archive.org/web/20201016145654/https://www.act.org.nz/policies, 16 October 2020, 2020,

Law and order

On its website, ACT states “that all New Zealanders should have the same fundamental rights, regardless of race, religion, sexuality or gender”.A More Democratic New Zealand, ACT Party {{dead link|date=February 2023}} The party says “the rights of victims should trump the rights of criminals” and has a number of tough-on-crime policies focused primarily on trying to control gangs. Party leader, David Seymour, wants to reintroduce the “three strikes law” (repealed in 2022 by the Labour Government) and to impose three-year prison sentences—without parole—on anyone who commits three burglaries.WEB, Law and Order,www.act.org.nz/law-and-order, ACT Party, 13 May 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230124184840/https://www.act.org.nz/policies/law-and-order, 24 January 2023, live, ACT advocates repealing New Zealand’s 2019 firearms legislation, and taking a “tougher” stance on criminals who repeatedly offend and on those found guilty of violent crimes, while also supporting rehabilitation programs.PRESS RELEASE, Seymour, David, PM out of touch on crime and guns: ACT Party,www.act.org.nz/press-releases/pm-out-of-touch-on-crime-and-guns, act.org.nz, ACT New Zealand, 7 February 2023, In September 2022, the ACT Party proposed fitting ankle bracelets on young offenders aged between 11 and 14 years old to combat juvenile crime, particularly ram-raiding. Party leader Seymour argued that ankle bracelets were non-intrusive and would allow police to monitor young offenders.NEWS, Manch, Thomas, ACT Party wants to put ankle bracelets on youth offenders who conduct ramraids,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129800473/act-party-wants-to-put-ankle-bracelets-on-youth-offenders-who-conduct-ramraids, 6 January 2023, Stuff (website), Stuff, 6 September 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221103052113/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129800473/act-party-wants-to-put-ankle-bracelets-on-youth-offenders-who-conduct-ramraids, 3 November 2022, live, NEWS, Hewett, William, David Seymour stands by ACT’s idea to put young offenders who commit serious crimes in ankle bracelets amid criticism,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/09/david-seymour-stands-by-act-s-idea-to-put-young-offenders-who-commit-serious-crimes-in-ankle-bracelets-amid-criticism.html, 6 January 2023, Newshub, 8 September 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220918144634/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/09/david-seymour-stands-by-act-s-idea-to-put-young-offenders-who-commit-serious-crimes-in-ankle-bracelets-amid-criticism.html, 18 September 2022, In response, Police Minister Chris Hipkins stated that the Labour Government was not considering the use of ankle bracelets for young offenders but would keep “all options on the table”.NEWS, Quinlivan, Mark, Idea of putting youth offenders in ankle bracelets ‘breaks my heart’, National MP Erica Stanford says,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/10/idea-of-putting-youth-offenders-in-ankle-bracelets-breaks-my-heart-national-mp-erica-stanford-says.html, 6 January 2023, Newshub, 21 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221118205304/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/10/idea-of-putting-youth-offenders-in-ankle-bracelets-breaks-my-heart-national-mp-erica-stanford-says.html, 18 November 2022, live, On Thursday, Police Minister Chris Hipkins indicated in Parliament putting ankle bracelets on ram raiders wasn’t off the table. [...] ‘In terms of the ankle bracelet policy, the issue of removing some of the repeat offenders from circulation and keeping them out of circulation is something the Government is very focused on,’ said Hipkins, under questioning from ACT Police spokesperson Chris Baillie. ‘I’m not convinced that extra use of ankle bracelets would necessarily achieve that but we’re keeping all options on the table.’, National Party leader Christopher Luxon and education spokesperson Erica Stanford initially indicated that they would not support ACT’s ankle-bracelet policy, with Stanford describing it as “heartbreaking”.NEWS, Quinlivan, Mark, Idea of putting youth offenders in ankle bracelets ‘breaks my heart’, National MP Erica Stanford says,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/10/idea-of-putting-youth-offenders-in-ankle-bracelets-breaks-my-heart-national-mp-erica-stanford-says.html, 6 January 2023, Newshub, 21 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221118205304/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/10/idea-of-putting-youth-offenders-in-ankle-bracelets-breaks-my-heart-national-mp-erica-stanford-says.html, 18 November 2022, live, New Zealand rugby-league player Sir Graham Lowe criticised the ankle-bracelet policy, while Waikato retailer Ash Parmer supported it. In November 2022, National reversed its initial opposition to fitting young offenders with ankle bracelets; with justice spokesperson Paul Goldsmith stating that a law change was necessary to impose electronic monitoring or intensive supervision on child offenders aged under 12 years.NEWS, Pearse, Adam, Law change needed to facilitate National’s plan to put ankle bracelets on 10-year-olds,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/law-change-needed-to-facilitate-nationals-plan-to-put-ankle-bracelets-on-10-year-olds/Y7AYZQCJVNCWDC5I6XUVGFIPOU/, 6 January 2023, The New Zealand Herald, 18 November 2022,web.archive.org/web/20221128045350/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/law-change-needed-to-facilitate-nationals-plan-to-put-ankle-bracelets-on-10-year-olds/Y7AYZQCJVNCWDC5I6XUVGFIPOU/, 28 November 2022, live, In May 2023, Seymour announced that ACT, if elected into government, would build youth-detention centres run by the Department of Corrections. ACT’s proposed policies include shifting management of youth offenders from Oranga Tamariki (the Ministry for Children) to the Corrections Department, investing NZ$677 million into combating youth crime over the following four years – including NZ$500 million on the construction of 200 new “youth justice beds”, and $44 million per year to operate these facilities.WEB, Seymour, David, Holding youth offenders accountable,www.act.org.nz/holding_young_offenders_accountable, ACT Party, 13 May 2023,web.archive.org/web/20230508003556/https://www.act.org.nz/holding_young_offenders_accountable, 8 May 2023, 8 May 2023, live, NEWS, Hewett, William, How ACT wants to end ‘tag-and-release game’ of juvenile offending,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/05/how-act-wants-to-end-tag-and-release-game-of-juvenile-offending.html, 13 May 2023, Newshub, Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand, 10 May 2023, live,web.archive.org/web/20230510040133/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/05/how-act-wants-to-end-tag-and-release-game-of-juvenile-offending.html, 10 May 2023, live,

Social issues

Members of ACT’s caucus in parliament voted five to four in favour of the Civil Union Act 2004 which gave the option of legal recognition to (among others) same-sex couples. A majority within the caucus also supported the legalisation of brothels by the Prostitution Reform Act 2003.NEWS,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3509424, Barnett celebrates ‘historic moment’ with prostitution bill, 27 October 2008, Taylor, Kevin, NZPA, 26 June 2003, The New Zealand Herald, In 2005, both of ACT’s MPs, Rodney Hide and Heather Roy, voted for the Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill 2005, which would have banned the possibility of introducing same-sex marriage in New Zealand in the future perspective.WEB,www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/48HansD_20051207_00001276/marriage-gender-clarification-amendment-bill-first, Marriage (Gender Clarification) Amendment Bill — First Reading – New Zealand Parliament, parliament.nz, 5 March 2024, In 2013, leader John Banks (the party’s sole MP from 2011 to 2014) voted in favour of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill at its third reading, a law which legalised same-sex marriage in New Zealand.NEWS, Marriage equality bill : How MPs voted,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8454794/Marriage-equality-bill-How-MPs-voted, 17 December 2020, Stuff, 2 April 2013, en, ACT leader David Seymour supported the legalisation of assisted dying. In 2018, he introduced a member’s bill, the End of Life Choice Bill, which aimed to legalise euthanasia in New Zealand.PRESS RELEASE, Seymour, David, David Seymour, Seymour lodges assisted dying Bill,www.act.org.nz/posts/seymour-lodges-assisted-dying-bill, ACT New Zealand, 4 December 2015,www.act.org.nz/posts/seymour-lodges-assisted-dying-bill," title="web.archive.org/web/20151208154237www.act.org.nz/posts/seymour-lodges-assisted-dying-bill,">web.archive.org/web/20151208154237www.act.org.nz/posts/seymour-lodges-assisted-dying-bill, 8 December 2015, dead, The law passed in 2019, was approved by the public in a 2020 referendum,NEWS, Election 2020: ‘What a great day to be a Kiwi’ — David Seymour celebrates euthanasia referendum passing,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300146022/election-2020-what-a-great-day-to-be-a-kiwi--david-seymour-celebrates-euthanasia-referendum-passing, 17 December 2020, Stuff, 30 October 2020, en, and took full effect in 2021. Grant Duncan cited the euthanasia law as an example of ACT neoliberalism.WEB, Duncan, Grant, The rise of ACT in 2020 highlights tensions between the party’s libertarian and populist traditions,theconversation.com/the-rise-of-act-in-2020-highlights-tensions-between-the-partys-libertarian-and-populist-traditions-147170, The Conversation, 7 October 2022, 17 December 2020, en, The party stands for less government, more private enterprise and freedom of choice. It is therefore a child of neoliberalism — indeed, its only legitimate child. [...] For example, Seymour’s referendum bill to allow assisted dying (euthanasia) was officially named the End of Life Choice Bill, asserting its ideological origins with the word ‘choice’., In 2020, Seymour voted for the Abortion Legislation Act which introduced abortion on request.WEB,www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2003/S00138/act-welcomes-abortion-legislation-act.htm, ACT Welcomes Abortion Legislation Act | Scoop News, scoop.co.nz, However, he criticised a particular aspect of this law which created “free protest zones” which would ban protests near abortion clinics, saying this limits freedom of expression.WEB,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/120251127/acts-david-seymour-the-abortion-lobbyists-and-the-facebook-scrap, ACT’s David Seymour, the abortion lobbyists, and the Facebook scrap, 13 March 2020, Stuff, In 2021, ACT expressed support for liberalisation of surrogacy law so as to facilitate availability of surrogate services to heterosexual and same-sex couples as well.NEWS, ACT backing Tamati Coffey’s surrogacy bill,www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/act-backing-tamati-coffeys-surrogacy-bill, 11 October 2021, 1 News, TVNZ, 14 July 2021, en-NZ, (Currently, New Zealand law permits altruistic surrogacy only.)

Māori issues

ACT proposes abolition of the Māori electorate seats in the New Zealand Parliament, arguing the seats are “an anachronism and offensive to the principle of equal citizenship” and that Māori MPs have been elected in general elections on other lists without special assistance. The party also wants to reduce the number of MPs in parliament from 120 to 100.WEB,www.act.org.nz/a_more_democratic_country, A More Democratic New Zealand, act.org.nz, 23 June 2022, 23 June 2022,web.archive.org/web/20220623083826/https://www.act.org.nz/a_more_democratic_country, dead, In March 2022, ACT campaigned on holding a referendum on Māori co-governance arrangements as a condition for entering into coalition with the National Party. Seymour has argued that the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi was not a partnership between the New Zealand Crown and Māori, and that co-governance arrangements created resentment and division. In addition, ACT announced that it would introduce a new law defining the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi if elected into government following the 2023 election. This law would only come into effect following a referendum held at the 2026 general election.NEWS, Sherman, Maiki, ACT Party wants referendum on co-governance with Māori,www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/24/act-party-wants-referendum-on-co-governance-with-maori/, 27 January 2023, 1 News, TVNZ, 24 March 2022,web.archive.org/web/20230127031536/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/03/24/act-party-wants-referendum-on-co-governance-with-maori/, 27 January 2023, live, ACT’s proposed referendum and law would affect co-governance arrangements at several Crown Research Institutes, state-owned enterprises and healthcare providers such as Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority). However, Seymour indicated that the new law would preserve existing co-governance arrangements with the Waikato, Ngāi Tahu, TÅ«hoe and Whanganui iwi (tribes).NEWS, Forbes, Mihirangi Forbes, Act Party – rewrites Te Tiriti interpretation,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/03/act-s-david-seymour-explains-why-he-wants-m-ori-co-governance-referendum.html, 27 January 2023, Newshub, Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand, 29 March 2022,web.archive.org/web/20230127031533/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/03/act-s-david-seymour-explains-why-he-wants-m-ori-co-governance-referendum.html, 27 January 2023, live, Māori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith described ACT’s proposed co-governance referendum and policies as being motivated by racism and reflecting a Pākehā unwillingness to share power. Similarly, Waikato leader Rahui Papa claimed that ACT’s co-governance policies clashed with the second and third articles of the treaty which (he argued) guaranteed Māori participation in the social sector. In response, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated her government’s commitment to co-governance arrangements. Meanwhile, National Party leader Christopher Luxon refused to commit to a referendum on co-governance, but acknowledged that further clarity on co-governance was needed.In October 2022, ACT released a discussion document entitled “Democracy or co-government?” which proposed a new Treaty Principles Act that would end the focus on partnership between Māori and the Crown and interpret “tino rangatiratanga” solely as property rights. By contrast, most scholars of the Māori language define “tino rangatiratanga” as the equivalent of “self-determination” in the English language. The proposed Treaty Principles Act does not mention Māori, the Crown, iwi (tribes), and hapÅ« (subgroups) but refers only to “New Zealanders”. ACT Party leader Seymour refused to identify whom his party had consulted when developing its co-governance and Treaty of Waitangi policies, particularly its redefinition of “tino rangatiratanga” as property rights. As part of ACT’s “colour-blind” policies, its social-development spokesperson Karen Chhour advocated the abolition of Te Aka Whai Ora.NEWS, McConnell, Glenn, ACT increases ‘co-governance’ focus, says Treaty referendum a ‘bottom line’,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/130122915/act-increases-cogovernance-focus-says-treaty-referendum-a-bottom-line, 28 January 2023, Stuff (website), Stuff, 10 October 2022,web.archive.org/web/20230114091548/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/130122915/act-increases-cogovernance-focus-says-treaty-referendum-a-bottom-line, 14 January 2023, live, Following the 2023 election and the formation of a National-led coalition government, ACT embarked on a public information campaign in early February 2024 to promote its Treaty Principles Bill. This campaign includes the creation of a new website called “treaty.nz,” which has a Questions and Answers section outlining the party’s approach to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and a video featuring Seymour. Seymour also contested claims that the opposition was trying to rewrite or abolish the Treaty of Waitangi. The public information campaign also came after a leaked Justice Ministry memo claimed that the proposed bill clashed with the text of the Treaty.NEWS, ACT launches Treaty Principles Bill information campaign,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/508579/act-launches-treaty-principles-bill-information-campaign, 7 February 2024, Radio New Zealand, 7 February 2024,web.archive.org/web/20240207015928/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/508579/act-launches-treaty-principles-bill-information-campaign, 7 February 2024, live,

Climate change

ACT went into the 2008 general election with a policy that in part stated “New Zealand is not warming” and that their policy goal was to ensure “That no New Zealand government will ever impose needless and unjustified taxation or regulation on its citizens in a misguided attempt to reduce global warming or become a world leader in carbon neutrality”.WEB,www.act.org.nz/files/plan/policy18.pdf, ACT Climate Change Policy, 6 October 2008, dead,www.act.org.nz/files/plan/policy18.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20140502091242www.act.org.nz/files/plan/policy18.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20140502091242www.act.org.nz/files/plan/policy18.pdf, 2 May 2014, In September 2008, ACT Party Leader Rodney Hide stated “that the entire climate change – global warming hypothesis is a hoax, that the data and the hypothesis do not hold together, that Al Gore is a phoney and a fraud on this issue, and that the emissions trading scheme is a worldwide scam and swindle.“WEB, Hide, Rodney,www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0809/S00042.htm, Hide: Emissions Trading Bill, Press Release ACT Party Speech to Parliament, scoop.co.nz, 3 September 2008, 12 January 2010, The former party leader has been branded as an “outspoken Kiwi climate change sceptic”.NEWS, Theunissen, Matthew, 27 June 2015, Climate change? Yeah, nah,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/climate-change-yeah-nah/WT2T4LBWZMTFNVNKSX7QZHSUKA/, The New Zealand Herald, 13 December 2020, In February 2016, ACT deleted this climate-change policy from their website, and party leader David Seymour criticised the Green Party for doing “bugger all for the environment”.NEWS, Coup ACT deletes climate change policy from their website, Henry, Cooke,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/77338800/act-delete-climate-change-policy-from-their-website, Stuff, 27 February 2016, 27 February 2016, ACT placed Chris Baillie fourth on its party list of candidates in the 2020 election; he has received criticism over his views on climate change,NEWS, Newman, Tim, 5 July 2020, Nelson ACT candidate responds to climate change criticism ‘hysteria’,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122026299/nelson-act-candidate-responds-to-climate-change-criticism-hysteria, Stuff, 13 December 2020, and been labelled a climate-change sceptic.NEWS, 28 June 2020, Vote 2020: ACT list makes gun lobbyist and climate change denier electable,www.nzherald.co.nz/business/vote-2020-act-list-makes-gun-lobbyist-and-climate-change-denier-electable/SZMQPG2BNGS6HEKO3W33VZ5CCA/, The New Zealand Herald, 13 December 2020, In a 2020 report by OraTaiao, the independent New Zealand climate-and-health council, ACT was listed as a party that would “either make climate change worse or do nothing”.NEWS, Wannan, Olivia, 29 September 2020, ACT, NZ First policies ignore, worsen climate change – health advocates,www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/122914136/act-nz-first-policies-ignore-worsen-climate-change--health-advocates, Stuff, 13 December 2020, The party finished in 9th place in the council’s pre-election scorecard, scoring 1.1 (one point one) out of 24.WEB,www.orataiao.org.nz/nz_election_2020_scorecard_climate_change_and_health, Scorecard for NZ Election 2020 – Climate Change and Health, Crosfield, Julia, 28 September 2020, OraTaiao, 13 December 2020, WEB,d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/orataiao/pages/608/attachments/original/1601862259/NZ_Election_2020_scorecard_report.pdf?1601862259, Report on Scorecard for NZ Election 2020 – Climate Change and Health, 25 September 2020, cloudfront.net, OraTaiao: Climate & Health Council, 13 December 2020, However, in the runup to the 2020 election, Environmental Defence Society chief executive Gary Taylor said that even ACT had moved its position from where it had been. He was largely critical of the party, saying: “ACT have been very outspoken about wanting to go hard to repeal a lot of climate change legislation, and I haven’t seen much from New Zealand First, mainly just silence.” He also stated: “I think the only upside from ACT really on climate change is they do seem to have moved from outright deniers – which is where the party was five years ago. [With] a strong ACT presence you could expect some of their radical and unhelpful policies to potentially be implemented, and that is frankly a scary proposition.“NEWS, Huffadine, Leith, 13 October 2020, Politicians have a ‘mandate’ for climate action, how do their policies stack up?,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/428210/politicians-have-a-mandate-for-climate-action-how-do-their-policies-stack-up, Radio New Zealand (RNZ), 13 December 2020, In early December 2020, the New Zealand Parliament officially declared a climate emergency, of which ACT was critical, stating, “Today’s climate emergency was a triumph for post-rational politics with feelings rather than facts driving the Government’s response to climate change”.NEWS, Walls, Jason, 2 December 2020, Parliament passes climate emergency motion in House,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/parliament-passes-climate-emergency-motion-in-house/3LQXDOR73G2SAV7LCCRKFWTNGI/, The New Zealand Herald, 13 December 2020, The party supports repealing the 2019 “Zero Carbon Act”.

Foreign policy

In 2019, ACT expressed sympathy with the Hong Kong pro-democracy protestors during the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests with party leader David Seymour speaking at a Hong Kong pro-democracy rally at the University of Auckland. The party argued that the New Zealand government should condemn efforts by the Chinese government to restrict freedom of speech in Hong Kong and criticized the Chinese Consulate-General for praising a Chinese student who had assaulted a pro-democracy activist in Auckland.NEWS, Tan, Lincoln, More than 100 gather for Hong Kong protest at the University of Auckland,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12256015, 7 August 2019, The New Zealand Herald, 6 August 2019, 9 August 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190809020307/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12256015, live, NEWS, Christian, Harrison, Hong Kong protesters gather at Auckland University,www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/114777487/hong-kong-protesters-gather-at-auckland-university, 7 August 2019, Stuff (website), Stuff, 6 August 2019, 7 August 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190807000545/https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/114777487/hong-kong-protesters-gather-at-auckland-university, live, In response to the Israel–Hamas war, Seymour as ACT leader issued a statement in support of Israel and condemned Hamas terrorism. ACT also accused Labour Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta of not explicitly opposing Hamas’ actions.NEWS, NZ leaders respond to Gaza attacks,thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/08-10-2023/nz-leaders-respond-to-gaza-attacks, 10 October 2023, The Spinoff, 8 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231008042537/https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/08-10-2023/nz-leaders-respond-to-gaza-attacks, 8 October 2023, live, NEWS, Hewett, Wiliam, Nanaia Mahuta calls for ‘immediate cessation of violence’ as hundreds killed in Israel-Hamas conflict,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/10/nanaia-mahuta-calls-for-immediate-cessation-of-violence-as-hundreds-killed-in-israel-hamas-conflict.html, 10 October 2023, Newshub, 8 October 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231010003719/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/10/nanaia-mahuta-calls-for-immediate-cessation-of-violence-as-hundreds-killed-in-israel-hamas-conflict.html, 10 October 2023,

History

(File:Roger Douglas 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|Former Minister of Finance Sir Roger Douglas was the party’s first leader.)

Formation

The name comes from the initials of the Association of Consumers and Taxpayers, founded in 1993 by Sir Roger Douglas and Derek Quigley. Douglas and Quigley intended the Association to serve as a pressure-group promoting Rogernomics—the name given to the radical free-market policies implemented by Douglas as Minister of Finance between 1984 and 1988.NEWS, Group sets its sights, The New Zealand Herald, 24 August 1993, 5, The Association grew out of the ‘Backbone club’, a ginger group in the Labour Party that supported Douglas and his policies.NEWS, Bernard, Orsman, Former MPs get Act together, The New Zealand Herald, 24 August 1993, 5, In 1996, New Zealand switched to using the MMP electoral system. The new electoral system gave smaller groups a much better chance of entering Parliament, and encouraged the Association to transform into a political party and contest elections.WEB, Curtin, Jennifer, Miller, Raymond, Political parties – Small parties under MMP,www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/34331/act-leader-and-founder-2008#comment-154151, (Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand), 26 July 2013, 16 November 2012, The nascent party’s manifesto was based upon a book written by Douglas entitled Unfinished Business. Douglas served as ACT’s first leader, but soon stood aside for Richard Prebble (his old ally from their days in the Labour Party).BOOK, Roper, Juliet, Holtz-Bacha, Christina, Mazzoleni, Gianpietro, The Politics of Representation: Election Campaigning and Proportional Representation, Peter Lang, 2004, 978-0-820-46148-9, 35,

1996–2004: Prebble’s leadership

(File:Richard Prebble (cropped) 1993.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Richard Prebble led ACT from 1996 to 2004.)Under Douglas, ACT had languished at 1% in opinion polls, but with Prebble’s populist rhetoric the party increased in support.NEWS, Trotter, Chris, Chris Trotter argues Richard Prebble made Act competitive electorally by turning it into a right-wing populist party, and asks whether David Seymour is doing the same,www.interest.co.nz/opinion/106326/chris-trotter-argues-richard-prebble-made-act-competitive-electorally-turning-it, 10 January 2021, interest.co.nz, 2 August 2020, In the {{NZ election link|1996}}, ACT fielded 56 list candidates.WEB, Part III – Party Lists of Successful Registered Parties,www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_1996/pdf/3.3%20Party%20Lists%20of%20Successful%20Registered%20Parties.pdf, Electoral Commission, 27 July 2013, dead,electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_1996/pdf/3.3%20Party%20Lists%20of%20Successful%20Registered%20Parties.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20130208054410electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_1996/pdf/3.3%20Party%20Lists%20of%20Successful%20Registered%20Parties.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20130208054410electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_1996/pdf/3.3%20Party%20Lists%20of%20Successful%20Registered%20Parties.pdf, 8 February 2013, Prebble won the{{NZ electorate link| Wellington Central}} electorate, and with 6.10% of the total party vote, ACT also sent seven list MPs to the 45th New Zealand Parliament.WEB,electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_1996/pdf/1.1%20Summary%20of%20overall%20results.pdf, Part I: Summary of Party List and Electorate Candidate Seats, New Zealand Chief Electoral Office, 2007, 27 July 2013, 22 May 2010,www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_1996/pdf/1.1%20Summary%20of%20overall%20results.pdf," title="web.archive.org/web/20100522105133www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_1996/pdf/1.1%20Summary%20of%20overall%20results.pdf,">web.archive.org/web/20100522105133www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_1996/pdf/1.1%20Summary%20of%20overall%20results.pdf, dead, In the {{NZ election link|1999}}, ACT obtained 7.04% of the party vote, making it eligible for nine list MPs.WEB,www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_1999/e9/html/e9_partI.html, Election Results 1999: Summary of Overall Results, Electionresults.govt.nz, New Zealand Electoral Commission, 2 May 2014, In the {{NZ election link|2002}}, ACT obtained 7.14% of the party vote, making it eligible for nine list MPs.WEB, Official Count Results – Overall Status,www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2002/partystatus.html, Electoral Commission, 7 August 2013, On 2 December 2004, both Douglas and Quigley announced that they would step down as patrons of ACT. They stated as the reason that they wished to have more freedom to disagree with the party publicly.NEWS, Sir Roger Douglas,www.magazinestoday.co.nz/sir-roger-douglas/, 20 June 2017, Magazines Today, 10 January 2016, live,www.magazinestoday.co.nz/sir-roger-douglas/," title="web.archive.org/web/20180204161944www.magazinestoday.co.nz/sir-roger-douglas/,">web.archive.org/web/20180204161944www.magazinestoday.co.nz/sir-roger-douglas/, 4 February 2018,

2005 election

Prebble’s sudden departure from the leadership of ACT in 2004 signalled a decline in the party’s electoral fortunes. Rodney Hide led ACT into the {{NZ election link|2005}}. It obtained 1.51% of the party vote, but due to Hide winning the seat of Epsom, it did not need to obtain the necessary 5% threshold of the party vote. This was only enough to allow one list MP Heather Roy, to join Hide in parliament.WEB,www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2005/partystatus.html, Election Results 2005: Official Count Results – Overall Status, Electionresults.govt.nz, New Zealand Electoral Commission, 2 May 2014,

2008–2011: First term in government

In the 2008 New Zealand general election, ACT fielded 61 list candidates, starting with Rodney Hide, Heather Roy, Sir Roger Douglas, John Boscawen, David Garrett and Hilary Calvert. The election marked an improvement in ACT’s fortunes. Hide retained his Epsom seat and ACT’s share of the party vote increased to 3.65% (up from the 1.5% gained in the 2005 election). The combination allowed the party five MPs in total.WEB,www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/partystatus.html, Chief Electoral Office: Official Count results: Overall status., In addition, the National Party won the most seats overall, forming a minority government, the Fifth National Government of New Zealand, with the support of ACT as well as the Māori Party and United Future. John Key offered both Hide and Roy posts as Ministers outside Cabinet: Hide became Minister of Local Government, Minister for Regulatory Reform and Associate Minister of Commerce, while Roy became Minister of Consumer Affairs, Associate Minister of Defence and Associate Minister of Education.NEWS,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10543509, Key’s Government, 17 November 2008, The New Zealand Herald, 15 September 2011, After 2008, some caucus MPs and organisational members became dissatisfied with ACT’s coalition partner status and argued at ACT’s national conference (27 February 2010) that there were insufficient fiscal responsibility policy gains for their party and that the National Party had slid from its earlier commitment to the politics of fiscal responsibility over the course of the previous decade. Throughout 2009, there had been at least one reported ACT caucus coup attempt against Hide’s leadership, believed to have been led by Deputy Leader Heather Roy and Roger Douglas. However, it faltered when Prime Minister Key supported Hide’s retention and threatened a snap election. In addition, the party’s polling of a lowly one to two percent in most opinion polls meant only Heather Roy might accompany Hide after any forthcoming general election, if Hide retained ACT’s Epsom pivotal electorate seat.NEWS, Martin, Kay, Leader warns ACT’s hardliners, Dominion Post, 27 February 2010,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3382781/Leader-warns-Acts-hardliners, On 28 April 2011, Hide announced that he was resigning the ACT leadership in favour of former National Party leader and Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash who joined the party that morning. Brash’s leadership was unanimously approved by the party board and parliamentary caucus on 30 April.NEWS, Act accepts Brash as leader,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10722553, The New Zealand Herald, 30 April 2011, 30 April 2011, Brash promised to focus the party on controlling government debt, equality between Māori and non-Māori, and rethinking the Emissions Trading Scheme, with a target of getting 15 percent of the party vote in the next election.NEWS, Coup aside, bold Brash must deliver on gamble, Fran, O’Sullivan,www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10722361, The New Zealand Herald, 30 April 2011, 30 April 2011, In November 2011, a recording of a conversation held between John Key and the former National Party member and former Mayor of Auckland City John Banks, who had been selected as the new ACT candidate in Epsom, was leaked to Herald on Sunday.NEWS,www.3news.co.nz/Key-may-face-more-teapot-tape-accusations/tabid/419/articleID/232874/Default.aspx, Key may face more teapot tape accusations, Wilson, Peter, 16 November 2011, 3 News, New Zealand, 16 November 2011,www.3news.co.nz/Key-may-face-more-teapot-tape-accusations/tabid/419/articleID/232874/Default.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20120201110834www.3news.co.nz/Key-may-face-more-teapot-tape-accusations/tabid/419/articleID/232874/Default.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20120201110834www.3news.co.nz/Key-may-face-more-teapot-tape-accusations/tabid/419/articleID/232874/Default.aspx, 1 February 2012, dead, NEWS,www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10766303, ‘Teapot tape’ could nail lid to ACT coffin, Armstrong, John, 16 November 2011, The New Zealand Herald, New Zealand, 16 November 2011, 3 News also obtained copies of the recording suggesting the two politicians were discussing issues related to ACT New Zealand’s leadership. Media dubbed the affair teapot tape.

2011 election: Decline

In the 2011 New Zealand general election, ACT fielded 55 list candidates, starting with new leader Don Brash, Catherine Isaac, Don Nicolson, John Banks, David Seymour and Chris Simmons.WEB,www.act.org.nz/candidates, Candidates | ACT New Zealand, 20 August 2008, dead,www.act.org.nz/candidates," title="web.archive.org/web/20111014041050www.act.org.nz/candidates,">web.archive.org/web/20111014041050www.act.org.nz/candidates, 14 October 2011, The election was a disappointment for ACT, with the party’s worst election result since it began in 1996. John Banks retained the Epsom seat for ACT, however the 34.2% majority held by Rodney Hide was severely cut back to 6.3% as large numbers of Labour and Green voters in Epsom tactically split their vote and gave their electorate vote to the National candidate Paul Goldsmith. Nationwide, ACT received only 1.07% of the party vote, placing eighth out of 13 on party vote percentage.WEB,electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2011/, Chief Electoral Office: Official Count results: Overall status., 27 November 2011, 26 February 2012,www.electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2011/," title="web.archive.org/web/20120226180844www.electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2011/,">web.archive.org/web/20120226180844www.electionresults.org.nz/electionresults_2011/, dead, As a result, ACT were only entitled to one seat in the new Parliament, filled by John Banks. Subsequently, Don Brash announced that he had stepped down as leader during his speech on election night.NEWS, Don Brash interview announcing resignation as ACT party leader,www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/2503502, 26 November 2011, 27 November 2011, NEWS, John Banks’ comments on Don Brash’s resignation,tvnz.co.nz/election-2011/brash-s-resignation-gracious-thing-do-banks-4573771, 27 November 2011, 27 November 2011, Following the 2011 general election John Banks stated that he believed that the ACT brand “...just about had its use-by date...” and needed to be renamed and relaunched.NEWS, John Banks’ comments on ACT Party brand,www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/2503645, 28 November 2011, 29 November 2011, Their previous partners, the National Party, again won the most seats overall, and formed a minority government. The Fifth National Government of New Zealand had ACT support as well as that of United Future and the Māori Party, providing the coalition with confidence and supply.

2014 election

(File:ACT Selection Announcement for Leader and Epsom- Seymour & Whyte.jpg|thumb|David Seymour and Jamie Whyte at the ACT selection announcement for Leader and Epsom in February 2014)At the ACT Board meeting of 2 February 2014, Jamie Whyte became the party’s leader-elect, and David Seymour was made the ACT candidate for Epsom. Kenneth Wang was appointed deputy leader on 15 April 2014. In the September 2014 general election, Seymour won his seat, and ACT moved from seventh to sixth place, despite a decline in their share of the popular vote. Seymour took over as party leader on 3 October 2014.NEWS,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10576531/ACTs-Jamie-Whyte-quits-as-leader, ACT’s Jamie Whyte quits as leader, Stuff, 3 October 2014, 3 October 2014, Vance, Andrea, PRESS RELEASE,www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1410/S00015/david-seymour-accepts-act-leadership.htm, David Seymour Accepts Act Leadership, Scoop, 3 October 2014, ACT New Zealand,

2017 election

(File:ACT New Zealand logo, 2017 variant.svg|thumb|upright=0.5|left|Previous logo used in the 2017 election)Wang resigned as deputy leader on 9 July 2017, the same day ACT released its party list; Beth Houlbrooke was announced as his replacement.WEB,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/94542326/act-party-list-prompts-resignation-of-deputy-leader-kenneth-wang, ACT party list prompts resignation of deputy leader Kenneth Wang, Small, Vernon, 9 July 2017, Stuff (website), Stuff, 9 July 2017, The party list had 39 candidates, none of whom were elected.WEB, 2017 GENERAL ELECTION PARTY LISTS,www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/2017-general-election-party-lists, Electoral Commission, 12 September 2017,www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/2017-general-election-party-lists," title="web.archive.org/web/20180420193402www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/2017-general-election-party-lists,">web.archive.org/web/20180420193402www.elections.org.nz/events/2017-general-election/2017-general-election-party-lists, 20 April 2018, dead, Party leader David Seymour was re-elected in the Epsom electorate, giving the party its only seat.

2020–2023 term

In the run-up to the 2020 general election, ACT rose in opinion polls, from under 1% to close to 8%. This rise was attributed to Seymour’s personal popularity.NEWS, Sowman-Lund, Stewart, Davidmania? The Spinoff meets Act’s high-flying leader,thespinoff.co.nz/politics/03-10-2020/davidmania-the-spinoff-meets-acts-high-flying-leader/, 10 January 2021, The Spinoff, 3 October 2020, Following the election, held on 17 October (postponed from September), ACT increased their share of the party vote to 7.6%, winning 10 seats including Seymour’s Epsom seat and nine from the party list.NEWS, 2020-10-17, Election 2020: The night in pictures as voting results roll in,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300135312/election-2020-the-night-in-pictures-as-voting-results-roll-in, 2020-10-17, Stuff (website), Stuff, en,web.archive.org/web/20201018082423/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300135312/election-2020-the-night-in-pictures-as-voting-results-roll-in, 18 October 2020, WEB, 2020-11-06, 2020 General Election and Referendums – Official Result,electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/,web.archive.org/web/20230621001306/https://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020/, dead, 21 June 2023, 2020-11-06, Electoral Commission, This was the party’s best-ever result.NEWS, Election 2020: Act’s voters ‘came home’ but David Seymour’s challenge now is to keep them there,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/election-2020-acts-voters-came-home-but-david-seymours-challenge-now-is-to-keep-them-there/OQKMT6P7UBAXVSP7U6QQPG7ZIY/, 11 January 2021, 18 October 2020, The New Zealand Herald, en-NZ, Some political analysists attributed ACT’s strong result as partly benefiting from the collapse in support for the National Party and New Zealand First.In late April 2021, the ACT party sponsored motion asking the New Zealand Parliament to debate and vote on the issue of human rights abuses against the Uyghur ethnic minority community in China’s Xinjiang province.NEWS, Manch, Thomas, ACT party will file motion asking Parliament to debate Xinjiang ‘genocide’,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/124955298/act-party-will-file-motion-asking-parliament-to-debate-xinjiang-genocide, 29 April 2021, Stuff (website), Stuff, 28 April 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210428002944/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/124955298/act-party-will-file-motion-asking-parliament-to-debate-xinjiang-genocide, 28 April 2021, live, In early May, the incumbent Labour Party revised the motion to raise concerns about human rights abuses in Xinjiang but omitting the term genocide, which was subsequently adopted by the New Zealand Parliament on 5 May.NEWS, McClure, Tess, New Zealand draws back from calling Chinese abuses of Uyghurs genocide,www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/04/new-zealand-draws-back-from-calling-chinese-abuses-of-uyghurs-genocide, 5 May 2021, The Guardian, 4 May 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210504193229/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/04/new-zealand-draws-back-from-calling-chinese-abuses-of-uyghurs-genocide, 4 May 2021, live, NEWS, Manch, Thomas, Parliament unanimously declares ‘severe human rights abuses’ occurring against Uyghur in China,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/125034356/parliament-unanimously-declares-severe-human-rights-abuses-occurring-against-uyghur-in-china, 5 May 2021, Stuff (website), Stuff, 5 May 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210505052434/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/125034356/parliament-unanimously-declares-severe-human-rights-abuses-occurring-against-uyghur-in-china, 5 May 2021, live, In response, the Chinese Embassy claimed that the motion made “groundless accusations” of human rights abuses against China and constituted an interference in China’s internal affairs.WEB, Response to Media Query by Spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in New Zealand about Motion on Xinjiang Passed by the NZ Parliament,www.chinaembassy.org.nz/eng/zxgxs/t1873530.htm, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in New Zealand, 7 May 2021,www.chinaembassy.org.nz/eng/zxgxs/t1873530.htm," title="web.archive.org/web/20210506080537www.chinaembassy.org.nz/eng/zxgxs/t1873530.htm,">web.archive.org/web/20210506080537www.chinaembassy.org.nz/eng/zxgxs/t1873530.htm, 6 May 2021, 5 May 2021, live, NEWS, Neilson, Michael, China lashes out after New Zealand Parliament makes Uighur declaration over ‘severe human rights abuses’,www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/china-lashes-out-after-new-zealand-parliament-makes-uighur-declaration-over-severe-human-rights-abuses/NMSWDVCV7MNDEI35KO4YGXQVK4/, 7 May 2021, The New Zealand Herald, 6 May 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210506131749/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/china-lashes-out-after-new-zealand-parliament-makes-uighur-declaration-over-severe-human-rights-abuses/NMSWDVCV7MNDEI35KO4YGXQVK4/, 6 May 2021, live, On 19 May 2021, the ACT Party opposed Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman’s motion calling for members of parliament to recognise the rights of Palestinians to self-determination and statehood while reaffirming its support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Deputy Leader Van Velden justified ACT’s opposition to the Green motion on the basis of Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March’s tweet that said “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!.“NEWS, Green Party motion to call for recognition of Palestine’s right to self-determination,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/442887/green-party-motion-to-call-for-recognition-of-palestine-s-right-to-self-determination, 21 May 2021, Radio New Zealand, 19 May 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210520003402/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/442887/green-party-motion-to-call-for-recognition-of-palestine-s-right-to-self-determination, 20 May 2021, live, NEWS, Manch, Thomas, Green Party’s motion to declare Palestine a state fails in Parliament,www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/125175638/green-partys-motion-to-declare-palestine-a-state-fails-in-parliament, 21 May 2021, Stuff (website), Stuff, 19 May 2021,web.archive.org/web/20210520053549/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/125175638/green-partys-motion-to-declare-palestine-a-state-fails-in-parliament, 20 May 2021, live,

2023–present: Coalition with National

Final results of the 2023 general election indicated that ACT won 8.64% of the party vote, resulting in 11 seats.NEWS, Ensor, Jamie, NZ election 2023 live updates: Results, analysis, reaction,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/10/nz-election-2023-live-updates-results-analysis-reaction.html, 15 October 2023, Newshub, 15 October 2023, en-NZ, Seymour retained his Epsom seat and Deputy Leader Brooke van Velden won the Tāmaki electorate.WEB, 2023 General Election: Successful candidates,electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/successful-candidates.html, Electoral Commission (New Zealand), Electoral Commission, 20 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231117114239/https://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2023/successful-candidates.html, 17 November 2023, 3 November 2023, live, In November 2023, ACT entered into a coalition deal with the National party to form part of the Sixth National Government of New Zealand.NEWS, Shaw, Richard, Three parties, two deals, one govt: The stress points within NZ’s ‘coalition of many colours’,www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/503207/three-parties-two-deals-one-govt-the-stress-points-within-nz-s-coalition-of-many-colours, Radio New Zealand, 19 December 2023, 25 November 2023, As part of National’s coalition agreement with ACT, the Government would adopt ACT’s policies of restoring interest deductibility for rental properties and pet bonds. In addition to adopting National’s youth crime and gang policies, the new Government would adopt ACT’s policies of rewriting firearms legislation. The new Government would also scrap the previous Labour Government’s fair pay agreements, proposed hate speech legislation, co-governance policies, Auckland light rail, Three Waters reform programme, and Māori Health Authority. The Government would also establish a new Ministry for Regulation headed by Seymour that would review the quality of new and existing legislation.NEWS, Quinlivan, Mark, Election 2023: National, ACT and NZ First’s Coalition agreement,www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/11/election-2023-national-act-and-nz-first-s-coalition-agreement.html, 27 November 2023, Newshub, 24 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231124040207/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/11/election-2023-national-act-and-nz-first-s-coalition-agreement.html, 24 November 2023, live, NEWS, Live: Luxon makes call to Gov-General to say he can form a govt,www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/24/live-new-govt-to-shake-up-gun-laws-co-governance-tax-rules/, 24 November 2023, 1 News, TVNZ, 24 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231124023819/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/24/live-new-govt-to-shake-up-gun-laws-co-governance-tax-rules/, 24 November 2023, NEWS, Palmer, Russell, Coalition details at a glance: What you need to know,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503153/coalition-details-at-a-glance-what-you-need-to-know, 24 November 2023, Radio New Zealand, 24 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231123222232/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503153/coalition-details-at-a-glance-what-you-need-to-know, 23 November 2023, live, NEWS, Daalder, Mark, Which policies survived the negotiations – and which didn’t,newsroom.co.nz/2023/11/24/which-policies-survived-the-negotiations-and-which-didnt/, 27 November 2023, Newsroom (website), Newsroom, 24 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231124093235/https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/11/24/which-policies-survived-the-negotiations-and-which-didnt/, 24 November 2023, live, While National did not support Act’s proposed referendum on the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, the Government would introduce a Treaty Principles Act and amend existing Treaty of Waitangi legislation to focus on the “original intent of the legislation.“NEWS, New government plans to review Treaty of Waitangi principles,www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/503168/new-government-plans-to-review-treaty-of-waitangi-principles, 24 November 2023, Radio New Zealand, 24 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231124032344/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/503168/new-government-plans-to-review-treaty-of-waitangi-principles, 24 November 2023, Within the National-led coalition government, Seymour became the first Minister for Regulation and was designated as Deputy Prime Minister from 31 May 2025. Van Velden became Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety. Nicole McKee became Minister for Courts and Associate Minister of Justice (firearms). Andrew Hoggard was appointed as Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety while Karen Chhour was appointed as Minister for Children and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence. Simon Court was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Minister for Infrastructure and RMA Reform.NEWS, Palmer, Russell, Cabinet lineup for new government unveiled – who gets what?,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503156/cabinet-lineup-for-new-government-unveiled-who-gets-what, 22 December 2023, Radio New Zealand, 24 November 2023,web.archive.org/web/20231204122806/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/503156/cabinet-lineup-for-new-government-unveiled-who-gets-what, 4 December 2023, live, On 7 February 2024, the ACT Party launched a campaign to support its Treaty Principles Bill, aiming to “restore the meaning of the Treaty of Waitangi to what was actually written and signed in 1840.” ACT also reiterated its call for a referendum on the Treaty’s application if the bill progresses past the initial stages. Opposition to the bill included criticism from Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, who accused Seymour of deliberately trying to divide New Zealand, and outgoing Labour MP Kelvin Davis, who stated that his party will continue to oppose the “Pākehā Government spiders”.NEWS, ACT launches Treaty Principles Bill ‘information campaign’,www.1news.co.nz/2024/02/07/act-launches-treaty-principles-bill-information-campaign/, 9 February 2024, 1News, en,

Electoral results {|classwikitable

!rowspan=2|Election!colspan=2|Candidates nominated!rowspan=2|Seats won!rowspan=2|Votes!rowspan=2|Vote share %!rowspan=2|Position{{ref label|Results|A|A}}!rowspan=2|Government/Oppositionalign=“center“!Electorate!Listalign=“text-align:center“!1996|65|568hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}|126,442|6.10%|5thCrossbenches}}align=“text-align:center“!1999|61|659hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}|145,493|7.04%|4thOpposition}}align=“text-align:center“!2002|56|609hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}|145,078|7.14%|4thalign=“text-align:center“!2005|56|592hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}|34,469|1.50%|7thalign=“text-align:center“!2008WEB, Official Count Results – Overall Status,archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/partystatus.html, 4 November 2020, elections.nz, Electoral Commission, en-NZ, 17 January 2020,archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/partystatus.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20200117211948archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/partystatus.html,">web.archive.org/web/20200117211948archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2008/partystatus.html, dead, |58|615hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}|85,496|3.65%|4thConfidence and supply}}align=“text-align:center“!2011WEB, Official Count Results – Overall Status,archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/partystatus.html, 4 November 2020, elections.nz, Electoral Commission, en-NZ, 17 January 2020,archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/partystatus.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20200117211914archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/partystatus.html,">web.archive.org/web/20200117211914archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2011/partystatus.html, dead, |50|551hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}|23,889|1.07%|7thalign=“text-align:center“!2014WEB, Official Count Results – Overall Status,archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/partystatus.html, 4 November 2020, elections.nz, Electoral Commission, en-NZ, 17 January 2020,archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/partystatus.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20200117211826archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/partystatus.html,">web.archive.org/web/20200117211826archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2014/partystatus.html, dead, |39|411hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}|16,689|0.69%|6thalign=“text-align:center“!2017WEB, 2017 General Election – Official Result,archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/, 4 November 2020, elections.nz, Electoral Commission, en-NZ, 17 January 2020,archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/," title="web.archive.org/web/20200117211439archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/,">web.archive.org/web/20200117211439archive.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/, dead, |36 |391hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}|13,075 |0.50%|5th Opposition}}align=“text-align:center“!2020WEB, 2020 General Election and Referendums – Preliminary Count,www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2020_preliminary/, 4 November 2020, elections.nz, Electoral Commission, en-NZ, |57Party lists in the 2020 New Zealand general election#ACT Party>57CANDIDATES>URL=HTTPS://WWW.ACT.ORG.NZ/CANDIDATESLANGUAGE=EN-NZ, 10hex={{party color|ACT New Zealand}}}}|219,030|7.58%|4thCrossbenches}}!2023|59Party lists in the 2023 New Zealand general election#ACT Party>61{{composition bar123ACT New Zealand}}}}|246,409|8.64%|4thCoalition with National and NZ First}}{{noteA}} Ranked by number of seats, then by number of votes as a tie-breaker.

Leadership

The ACT party board appoints a leader and deputy leader recommended by the party caucus; when the party leader is not a member of parliament, a separate parliamentary leader is chosen by the caucus. The organisation outside parliament is led by a party president and party vice-president.WEB, Constitution and Rules,elections.nz/assets/Party-rules/the-act-party-rules-and-constitution.pdf, ACT New Zealand, 11, 14, 2019,

Leaders

{| class=“wikitable“|+!Image!Name!Term160x160px)|Roger Douglas|(1994–1996)160x160px)|Richard Prebble|(1996–2004)160x160px)|Rodney Hide|(2004–2011)160x160px)|Don Brash|(2011)160x160px)John Banks (New Zealand politician)>John Banks|(2012–2014)160x160px)|Jamie Whyte|(2014)160x160px)|David Seymour |(2014–present)

Deputy leaders

• Ken Shirley (1996–2004)
• Muriel Newman (2004–2006)
• Heather Roy (2006–2010)
• John Boscawen (2010–2011)
• Kenneth Wang (2014–2017)
• Beth Houlbrooke (2017–2020)
• Brooke van Velden (2020–present)

Parliamentary leaders

• No MPs (1994–1996)
• Richard Prebble (1996–2004)
• Rodney Hide (2004–2011)
• John Boscawen (2011)
• John Banks (2011–2014)
• David Seymour (2014–present)

Presidents

• Rodney Hide (1994–1996)
• Roger Douglas (1996–2001)
• Catherine Isaac (2001–2006)
• Garry Mallett (2006–2009)
• Michael Crozier (2009–2010)
• Chris Simmons (2010–2013)
• John Boscawen (2013–2014)
• John Thompson (2014–2017)WEB, John Thompson,www.act.org.nz/john-thompson-0, ACT New Zealand, 8 February 2017,www.act.org.nz/john-thompson-0," title="web.archive.org/web/20170211075815www.act.org.nz/john-thompson-0,">web.archive.org/web/20170211075815www.act.org.nz/john-thompson-0, 11 February 2017, dead,
• Ruwan Premathilaka (2017–2019)WEB, ACT says prisoners could earn time off by learning,www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/325328/act-says-prisoners-could-earn-time-off-by-learning, radionz, 8 February 2017,
• Tim Jago (2019–2023)
• Henry Lynch (2023–current)

Vice presidents

• David Schnauer (1999–2000)
• Rodney Hide (2000–2001)
• Vince Ashworth (2001–2004)
• John Ormond (2004–2006)
• Trevor Loudon (2006–2008)
• Michael Crozier (2008–2009)
• Dave Moore (2009–2010)
• Bruce Haycock (2010–2014)
• Beth Houlbrooke (2014–2016)
• Heather Anderson (2016–2017)
• Michaela Draper (2017–2018)
• Beth Houlbrooke (2018–2020)
• Isaac Henderson (2020–2022)
• Henry Lynch (2022–2023)
• Catherine Isaac (2023–current)

Elected representatives

Current members of parliament

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• David Seymour (2014–present)
• Brooke van Velden (2020–present)
• Nicole McKee (2020–present)
• Andrew Hoggard (2023–present)
• Karen Chhour (2020–present)
• Simon Court (2020–present)
• Todd Stephenson (2023–present)
• Mark Cameron (2020–present)
• Parmjeet Parmar (2023–present)
• Laura Trask (2023–present)
• Cameron Luxton (2023–present)

{{div col end}}

Former members of parliament

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Donna Awatere Huata (1996–2003)
• Chris Baillie (2020–2023)
• John Banks (2011–2014)
• John Boscawen (2008–2011)
• Hilary Calvert (2010–2011)
• Deborah Coddington (2002–2005)
• Roger Douglas (2008–2011)
• Gerry Eckhoff (1999–2005)
• Stephen Franks (1999–2005)
• David Garrett (2008–2010)
• Rodney Hide (1996–2011)
• Owen Jennings (1996–2002)
• James McDowall (2020–2023)
• Muriel Newman (1996–2005)
• Richard Prebble (1996–2005)
• Derek Quigley (1996–1999)
• Heather Roy (2002–2011)
• Patricia Schnauer (1996–1999)
• Toni Severin (2020–2023)
• Ken Shirley (1996–2005)
• Damien Smith (2020–2023)
• Kenneth Wang (2004–2005)
• Penny Webster (1999–2002)

{{div col end}}

Notable candidates

File:Stephen Berry speaking at the Free Speech Coalition protest, Auckland 2018.jpg|thumb|Berry speaking at the free speech protest, Auckland 2018]]

• Stephen Berry (born 1983), politician, political commentator, internet personality, and comedian. Berry was an ACT candidate in 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2020.NEWS, Walls, Jason, Hundreds of NZ right-wing users kicked off Twitter,www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/twitter-quietly-purges-hundreds-of-mainly-right-wing-nz-users/, 22 March 2021, NewstalkZB, 13 January 2021, NEWS, Berry, Stephen, Pharmac’s anti-HIV drug subsidy is an own goal for LGBT,thespinoff.co.nz/politics/23-03-2018/pharmacs-anti-hiv-drug-subsidy-is-an-own-goal-for-lgbt/, 22 March 2021, The Spinoff, 23 March 2018, NEWS, New Zealand’s new LGBTQ MPs make Parliament most rainbow in world,www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/428800/new-zealand-s-new-lgbtq-mps-make-parliament-most-rainbow-in-world, 22 March 2021, RNZ, 21 October 2020,
• Allan Birchfield (born 1949/1950), coal and gold miner, chairman of the West Coast Regional Council. Birchfield was an ACT candidate in 2011.
• Barry Brill (born 1940), lawyer, politician, parliamentary under-secretary. Brill was an ACT candidate in 2011.
• Bob Clarkson (born 1939), National Member of Parliament. Clarkson was an ACT candidate in 2011.
• Andrew Falloon (born 1983), National Member of Parliament. Falloon was an ACT list candidate in 2005 and 2008.
• Jo Giles (1950–2011), television presenter and representative sportswoman. Giles was an ACT candidate in 2005.
• Catherine Isaac, president of ACT New Zealand, managing director of Awaroa Partners, former director of JM Communications. Isaac was an ACT list candidate in 2011.
• John Lithgow (1933–2004), National Member of Parliament. Lithgow was an ACT candidate in Whanganui in 1996.
• Garry Mallett (born 1960/1961), politician, fourth President of ACT New Zealand, former owner-operator of a Hamilton branch of Les Mills International. Mallett was an ACT candidate in Hamilton West in 1996, Hamilton East in 2005, Hamilton East in 2008.
• Dick Quax (1948–2018), Dutch-born New Zealand runner, one-time world record holder in the 5000 metres, and local-body politician. Quax was an ACT candidate in 1999 and 2002.
• Graham Scott (born 1942), official of the New Zealand government. Scott was an ACT candidate in 2005.

See also

• Historic liberalism in New Zealand
• List of libertarian political parties
• Rogernomics

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|ACT New Zealand}}

• ACT New Zealand
• www.actoncampus.org.nz/" title="web.archive.org/web/20060108210138www.actoncampus.org.nz/">ACT on Campus ACT’s Youth Wing
• {{Curlie|Regional/Oceania/New_Zealand/Society_and_Culture/Politics/Parties/ACT}}
• Is this the end of the road for Act? – New Zealand Herald article

{{ACT New Zealand}}{{New Zealand political parties}}{{authority control}}