University of Canterbury students, you are the key to deciding the next government.

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There has been a lot of talk about the kingmaker, Winston Peters, being back. But let’s be real, the majority of kiwis on both sides of the spectrum, especially young people, don’t want this. New Zealand First’s policies aren’t about taking this country forward, they are about political point scoring with what Winston thinks will win him votes.

 

It’s going to be close this election, and it looks like National and ACT will fall slightly short of being able to govern on their own (likely only by 1 or 2 seats). This means an ACT, National and NZ First government will be most likely. It seems very clear that David Seymour and Winston Peters will not work well together. Having them in a coalition would be a bad outcome for all kiwis. 

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But there is hope, The Opportunities Party (TOP). Although polling well below the 5% threshold nationally, they are close in the Ilam electorate seat. A poll done last month by UMR had Raf only 3.8% behind Nationals Hamish Campbell and 27% of voters were still undecided. If they get this seat, they only need about 1.3% of the party vote to bring in another MP, which on current polling is possible.

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Why is no one talking about the very real possibility of a TOP, ACT and National government? This would be a better outcome for New Zealand than having NZ First in there.

 

It was a mistake made by Christopher Luxon not to do a deal with Raf Manji in Ilam. National could have their much needed second ally in TOP. With there having not been a new political party in Parliament for nearly 20 years, TOP bring a much-needed fresh voice.

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TOP also bring with them a centrist voice for the environment and climate change. Many New Zealanders have been crying out for a “blue green” party to vote for as a lot are not comfortable with the progressive social policies of the Greens.

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Current Green Party Leader James Shaw was asked to join Raf and TOP as leader. This would likely have given James Shaw the Climate Change portfolio under a National government which would have been fantastic for all parties. James is strongly respected on the right and his level of detail in continuation of climate action is important for all of New Zealand.

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TOP is the third most google searched party this election. Many kiwis that we speak to say that they feel they aligned most with TOP, however they won’t vote for them because it seems like a wasted vote. Well, if the University of Canterbury Students in Ilam see what’s at stake and turn out for TOP they will make every vote around the country for TOP count.

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Still don’t believe us, have a look at the maths. In 2022 there were 22,734 students enrolled at UC. In 2020 Sarah Pellatt won on 19,825 votes and in 2017 Gerry Brownlee won on 16,577 votes. The votes of UC student votes, along with other voters in the electorate will bring a win for Raf. 

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So, UC students, in MMP we often say the only vote that counts is your party vote and in most cases that is true. However, you have a unique opportunity to make your electorate vote count. What sort of future do you want to graduate into, and more importantly what sort of future do you want to see for New Zealand? The fate of the country is in your hands. 

 

By Finn Ross and Eve McCallum of Both Sides Now.