New Zealand's Opportunity party poised to kingmake election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 18:31 · Archive

Upstart centrist party Opportunity is on track to hold the balance of power in New Zealand's November 7 election.

New Zealand's upstart centrist party Opportunity is on track to win parliamentary seats for the first time after four failed attempts, putting it in a kingmaker position in the 7 November election. The climate-concerned party could support either the National-led conservative coalition or the Labour-led opposition to form the next government, giving its MPs significant influence over which side governs.

Opportunity's leader Qiulae Wong, 38, has become a central figure in New Zealand politics in less than a year. She became the party's leader after applying for the position through a job advertisement. 'I'd voted for them in the past and was on the mailing list and that's how I found out about the role,' she said. She described the experience as 'a wild roller-coaster of a ride for the last 12 months'.

Wong attributed the party's surge in support to widespread frustration among New Zealanders. 'Big parties are just not offering anything inspirational for our future, so people are certainly looking around at all the minor parties for what we have to offer,' she said. The party is enjoying significant momentum, she added, because 'the timing is right for us but we've also worked really hard to make sure that we're putting that positive message out there'.

How it is being reported

• New Zealand's own teal wave crashes into campaignFirst-time candidate Qiulae Wong, the 38-year-old leader of Opportunity, looms as the decisive actor in New Zealand's national election.The West Australian · 9 Oct, 18:03
• New Zealand's own teal wave crashes into campaignFirst-time candidate Qiulae Wong, the 38-year-old leader of Opportunity, looms as the decisive actor in New Zealand's national election.Perth Now · 9 Oct, 18:02

In this story: Opportunity · Qiulae Wong · New Zealand · National · Labour

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