Coalition partners divided over vote-splitting campaign
Friday 30 October 2026 · 4 outlets · 5 reports · updated In this story Labour Party, National Party, ACT Party, NZ First, David Seymour, Electoral Commission
National leader Christopher Luxon expressed disappointment after coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First approved an advertisement encouraging centre-right voters to split their votes. ACT leader David Seymour said he authorised the ad following a promise from Don Brash to run a separate campaign supporting ACT in Epsom and Tāmaki. National has lodged a complaint with the Electoral Commission.
Key facts
4 facts
- The campaign aims to create a parliamentary overhang by splitting electorate and party votes
- ACT and New Zealand First provided permission for the advertisements as required by electoral law
- The Electoral Commission is investigating the authorisation of advertising linked to Harry Mowbray's campaign
- The Reality Check Radio advertisement counts towards ACT's $3.2 million election advertising spend limit
The full story
1 min read · 4 outlets
ACT and New Zealand First have approved an advertising campaign that encourages right-wing voters to split their votes to create a parliamentary overhang. The strategy suggests voters give their electorate vote to National but their party vote to ACT or New Zealand First. This tactic aims to increase the number of seats for coalition partners without adding list MPs, potentially allowing a government to be elected with fewer total votes than the opposition.
National leader Christopher Luxon has expressed disappointment, warning that the campaign could confuse voters and risk a Labour-led government. National has lodged a complaint with the Electoral Commission regarding the campaign. The Commission is investigating whether advertising associated with businessman Harry Mowbray's campaign was properly authorised.
ACT leader David Seymour revealed the party initially rejected the advertisement but granted permission on the condition that Don Brash ran a separate ad supporting ACT in the Epsom and Tāmaki electorates. Brash, a former leader of both National and ACT, placed the vote-splitting ad via Reality Check Radio and a personal message for the Epsom and Tāmaki candidates.
New Zealand First confirmed it approved a separate Reality Check Radio advertisement that promoted the overhang strategy. A spokesperson for the party stated they had no involvement in creating the ad but welcomed third parties promoting the message that a party vote for New Zealand First is essential for a centre-right government.
How it developed
- Sat 31 Oct, 1:19pmDavid Seymour clarified that ACT only approved the ad after securing a condition that Don Brash would also endorse ACT candidates in Epsom and Tāmaki.
Where reports differ
- Reports differ on whether the campaign was approved by both coalition partners, with some noting ACT and NZ First signed off on different ads
Compiled from reports by The Post, Newsroom, 1News and RNZ.
