The Alliance Party officially launched its campaign for
the 2026 General Election at its National Conference in
Christchurch yesterday, Saturday 14 February.
Members
from across Aotearoa gathered at the Trade Union Centre to
ratify the party’s constitution, elect national officers,
and confirm the policy platform for the upcoming
election.
The Conference confirmed the Alliance’s
strategy to stand candidates in key electorates across the
country for the General Election on 7 November 2026.
A
new national executive was elected to lead the party through
the election year. The conference saw a mix of members
elected to general executive positions.
Tom Roud was
elected Party President and Victor Billot was elected Party
Leader.
Alliance Party leader Victor Billot says the
event marks a pivotal moment for the political left in New
Zealand.
“The Alliance is back to offer a genuine
social democratic alternative to the failed policies of the
status quo,” said Mr Billot.
Alliance Party
President Tom Roud says the Alliance will campaign on a
platform of tax justice, public ownership of assets, free
healthcare and education, and secure
housing.
…………………………..
Context:
The history of the Alliance Party
The Alliance was
founded in December 1991 as a broad-left coalition designed
to offer a cohesive alternative to the Labour and National
parties. It was initially formed by four minor parties –
NewLabour (led by Jim Anderton), the Green Party, Mana
Motuhake, and the Democrats – with the Liberal Party
joining shortly after.
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The Alliance sought to
challenge the neoliberal economic reforms (‘Rogernomics’
and ‘Ruthenasia’) of the 1980s and early 1990s. Its
founding leader, Jim Anderton, became a pivotal figure in
New Zealand politics.
The Alliance was a major force
in the transition to the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)
electoral system.
In 1993, the Alliance achieved a
high-water mark of 18.2% of the popular vote, but secured
only two seats due to the First Past the Post (FPP)
system.
In the first MMP election of 1996, the party
won 13 seats (10.1% of the vote), solidifying its status as
a third major force in Parliament.
In 1999, the
Alliance formed a coalition government with the Labour
Party, resulting in Jim Anderton becoming Deputy Prime
Minister. While in government, the party secured key wins,
including the establishment of Kiwibank and the Paid
Parental Leave scheme.
However, internal tensions over
the party’s direction and New Zealand’s involvement in the
war in Afghanistan led to a public split in 2002 with the
majority of the party opposed to New Zealand involvement, a
position that has since been vindicated. Jim Anderton left
taking several MPs with him. The remaining Alliance failed
to retain any seats in the 2002 election.
Following
over a decade of extra-parliamentary activity, the party was
deregistered at its own request in 2015.
In mid-2025,
the Alliance announced its relaunch, signalling a return to
active politics. As of February 2026, the party has
confirmed it will stand candidates in upcoming elections,
positioning itself once again as a distinct left-wing voice
in the political
landscape.
