Law and order has entered the election 2026 chat
The New Zealand Green Party faces political backlash after members were photographed with gang members at an election hui. The incident has allowed the National Party to shift the election narrative toward law and order, an area where they traditionally hold an advantage over the current government.
Why it matters
Political optics regarding crime and gang associations can significantly influence voter sentiment in tight election cycles, potentially shifting the focus away from economic issues.
Analysis - In a neck-and-neck election campaign there's no greater gift for a political party than an unforced error by the opposing team.
Enter the Green Party and its monumental brainfade this week to not only attend an election hui with patched gang members, but to pose for photos with them .
Mongrel Mob lifetime member Harry Tam proceeded to post the photos on social media on Tuesday afternoon, which caught the attention of the National Party and sent it into overdrive.
By Wednesday morning Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara had also shared the photos of herself along with her colleague Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke and Greens' Hūhana Lyndon and Michel Mulipola at the whānau, health, and wellbeing election hui.
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