ACT candidate Paul Henry tells electorate to vote for a National MP
ACT candidate Paul Henry has encouraged voters in the Kaikōura electorate to split their vote by supporting the National Party candidate for the constituency while voting for ACT on the party list. This strategy aims to maximize the coalition's influence despite the low probability of an ACT candidate winning the seat.
Why it matters
This highlights the strategic voting dynamics within New Zealand's Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system.
<p>"Party vote ACT and constituency vote National" was ACT candidate Paul Henry's pitch to his Blenheim audience – notably right in front of ACT's candidate for the Kaikōura electorate.</p> <p>Henry spoke to about 150 voters at Whitehaven Theatre on Tuesday, where people stood along the back walls and entrance after seats ran out.</p> <p>When Local Democracy Reporting asked him to clarify that statement – again directly in front of ACT Kaikōura candidate Tom Spooner – Henry doubled down.</p> <p>"There are a lot of different ways that MMP can work for you, and people obviously have to determine themselves which way it's going to work for them," Henry said.</p> <p>"I would love it for Tom to win. I would absolutely love it. I would love people to give two votes to ACT.
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