Politics · Other · 3 hrs ago
New Zealand First’s culture-war campaign has yet to lift its support much
Winston Peters is leading New Zealand First into the Nov.
7 general election with a sharper conservative message.
The party has criticised “woke” politics and gender policies, proposed immigration curbs and advocated leaving the Paris climate accord.
It has also long supported stronger state help for older people and regional development.
Recent polls put its support at about 10%, below a high of 13.6% in an April poll.
Analysts say its message has not gained the same traction as similar populist politics in some other English-speaking countries.
New Zealand’s proportional voting system means Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s National Party may need support from New Zealand First and ACT to form government again.
The centrist Opportunity party could also emerge as a contender to hold the balance of power.
New Zealand First’s campaign against “woke” politics and for tighter immigration has not produced a sustained rise in support, analysts say.
Recent surveys put the party at around 10%, down from a high of 13.6% in an April poll.
Leader Winston Peters is seeking a stronger election result that could make his party important to forming the next government.
Analysts say the campaign may have less appeal in New Zealand than similar populist messages have had elsewhere.
New Zealand’s general election is scheduled for Nov 7.
- Who
- New Zealand First, led by Winston Peters.
- What
- The party is campaigning on culture-war issues, but recent surveys put its support at around 10%.
- When
- Ahead of the general election on Nov 7; the article was published on Oct 12, 2026.
- Where
- New Zealand.
- Why
- Peters hopes the issues will help his party win more seats and become important to forming the next government.
Winston Peters and New Zealand First
Political analysts
Campaign appeal
Winston Peters and New Zealand First
Peters says the party is expressing what voters think and that people are turning up to its events.
Political analysts
Analysts say the party’s message has limited appeal and its recent polling suggests momentum has faded.
This time it’s almost now or never in terms of getting far greater power to implement our alternative to how to run an economy
The 2026 campaign is the most explicitly right-wing pitch NZ First has made in its 33-year history
This might well be inspired by a global populist movement, but the polling would suggest it doesn’t have quite the same appeal it does elsewhere in the Anglosphere.
I am voting New Zealand First this election, not because I believe they’re the greatest, but I do believe that they are the best choice available.
New Zealand First was founded.
New Zealand First won 6.1% of the vote.
The party’s support reached 13.6%.
New Zealand First’s support was around 10%, suggesting its momentum had faded.
New Zealand’s general election is scheduled to take place.
- Party leader
- Winston Peters
- Founded
- 1993
- 2023 vote share
- 6.1%
- April poll high
- 13.6%
- Recent support
- Around 10%
- General election
- Nov 7
Sources
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