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NZ First

New Zealand First
GoverningCoalition partner Founded 1993
Winston Peters
Leader / Deputy Prime Minister
Winston Peters

Populist, nationalist party and coalition partner in the current government

8
Seats
6.5% of 123

Overview

New Zealand First is a populist party with a strong nationalist and sovereigntist orientation, led by veteran politician Winston Peters. Founded in 1993, NZ First is known for its focus on regional New Zealand, senior citizens, and controlling foreign ownership of New Zealand assets. The party returned to parliament in 2023 and joined the National-led coalition government.

History

Winston Peters founded NZ First in 1993 after being dismissed from the National cabinet. The party has been a significant coalition-maker in New Zealand politics, having supported both National (1996–1999, 2017 negotiations) and Labour (2017–2020) governments. After failing to return to parliament in 2020, NZ First made a comeback in 2023 with 8 seats.

Founded in 1993 by Winston Peters following his departure from the National Party

Core values

New Zealand sovereignty — NZ owned and NZ controlled
Regional development and investment outside the main centres
Supporting New Zealand's senior citizens
Controlling foreign ownership of New Zealand land and assets
A strong New Zealand Defence Force
Controlled and managed immigration settings

Key policy areas

Policy topics most associated with NZ First. Tap any topic to compare every party's position side by side.

Legislative record this term

54th Parliament · as at 24 June 2026

9
Government bills passed into law
10
Government bills led (incl. in progress)
0
Members’ bills passed

As a governing party, NZ First’s ministers lead government legislation. Government bills are the coalition’s collective programme — counted here by the party of the minister in charge, not as one party’s alone. NZ First also has 4 members’ bills in the ballot.

Leadership
Winston Peters
Winston Peters
Leader / Deputy Prime Minister
At a glance
Total seats8
Electorate seats0
List seats8
Share of House6.5%
Founded1993

Caucus

NZ First holds 8 seats in the 54th Parliament.

Winston Peters
Winston Peters
View profile

Full caucus list will appear here once the Parliament API integration is complete.

Sources

Seat counts from the 2023 General Election (Electoral Commission). Party background from parliament.nz and official party records. Leadership details pending Parliament API verification.