ACT
ACT New Zealand
GoverningCoalition partner Founded 1993
Leader / Deputy Prime Minister
David Seymour
Classical liberal party and coalition partner in the current government
11
Seats
8.9% of 123
Overview
ACT New Zealand is a classical liberal party advocating for small government, free markets, and individual freedom. Founded in 1993, ACT entered its strongest electoral period under David Seymour's leadership and currently serves as a coalition partner alongside National and NZ First in the 54th Parliament.
History
ACT emerged from the free-market reforms of the 1984–1993 Labour government, founded by former Labour MP Roger Douglas and others who sought to continue economic liberalisation. After years at the margins of parliament, the party surged under David Seymour's leadership, winning 11 seats in 2023 — its best result in over two decades.
Founded in 1993 from the free-market reforms of the fourth Labour government
Core values
Small government and lower taxes
Individual freedom and personal responsibility
Free markets and deregulation
Education choice and school autonomy
Law and order based on clear consequences
Treaty principles — one rule of law for all New Zealanders
Where they stand
Tap an issue to read ACT’s position on it, in our words with their source. 8 of 11 topics have a recorded position.
ACT on Economy
Lower taxes, less red tape, and smaller government to grow economy
ACT wants to keep taxes low and cut government spending it sees as wasteful. They say they have already saved taxpayers money and cut rules that made it harder for businesses to hire people. Going forward, they want a simpler two-rate income tax system, remove more regulations, and make it easier for businesses to invest, create jobs, and raise wages.
What they say they'll do
- Introduce a two-rate income tax system with a top rate of 28%
- Align personal, trust, and company tax rates to simplify the system
- Continue identifying and cutting low-value government spending
- Remove unnecessary regulations to make it easier for businesses to invest and hire
- Streamline consenting processes and open markets to more competition
- Maintain 90-day trial periods for all employers
Who this affects
Employees and wage earners
ACT's proposed flatter income tax system would change the rates people pay on their earnings, with a stated top rate of 28%.
Small business owners
Removing employment regulations like Fair Pay Agreements and keeping 90-day trials means businesses face fewer rules when hiring or setting pay and conditions.
Taxpayers generally
ACT says cutting government spending reduces pressure on public budgets and keeps more money with the people who earned it.
People starting or growing a business
Proposals to streamline consenting and remove regulations are aimed at making it less costly and complicated to invest or trade.
In their own words
“ACT has proposed a two-rate income tax system with a top rate of 28 percent, aligning personal, trust, and company tax rates.”
“The cost of living crisis is half about high prices, and half about having a low wage economy.”
“You shouldn't be punished for that with ever-increasing taxes or swaths of red tape.”
Summarised neutrally from ACT’s own official policy (as at 2026-06-22) and checked by an editor. Nothing is paraphrased without the source linked. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Economy →
Legislative record this term
54th Parliament · as at 28 August 2026
29
Government bills passed into law
36
Government bills led (incl. in progress)
0
Members’ bills passed
As a governing party, ACT’s ministers lead government legislation. Government bills are the coalition’s collective programme, counted here by the party of the minister in charge rather than as one party’s alone. ACT also has 6 members’ bills in the ballot.
At a glance
2 electorate 9 list
Total seats11
Electorate seats2
List seats9
Share of House8.9%
Founded1993
Latest coverage
News and video mentioning ACT, from the sources on our coverage page.
In the news
Record school attendance masks persistent gap for MāoriNewsroom · 27 AugMP Mark Cameron farewells Parliament from afarRNZ · 27 AugWhy Christopher Luxon blew up unwritten coalition rules – and infuriated David Seymour and Winston Peters – Audrey YoungNZ Herald · 27 AugACT promises tax-free crypto gains after a yearRNZ · 26 AugAct MP Mark Cameron concedes he’s ‘stuffed’ due to health issues, gives valedictory speechNZ Herald · 26 Aug
All news 
Sources
Seat counts from the 2023 General Election (Electoral Commission). Party background from parliament.nz and official party records. Leadership verified against the parliament.nz member roster.