Labour campaign chairperson Kieran McAnulty stated that the party has a “genuine shot” of forming a government with one other party, though he ruled out ACT and called a coalition with New Zealand First “highly unlikely.” He also noted that Labour intends to reclaim Māori seats currently held by Te Pāti Māori.
Speaking to Jack Tame on Q+A from the party’s annual conference in Wellington, McAnulty said the “field remains open” for potential partners. While he did not name specific allies, he ruled out working with ACT and suggested a deal with New Zealand First is improbable given the party’s current direction.
Who could Labour partner with to form a government?
McAnulty told Tame that Te Pāti Māori is an unlikely partner because Labour expects to win back the Māori seats the party currently holds. Regarding the party Opportunity, which scored 4.6% in a recent 1News Verian poll, McAnulty said Labour has not ruled them out, but noted they must first reach the 5% parliamentary threshold.
McAnulty expressed confidence in Labour’s ability to govern, stating he believes the party has a “genuine shot” of forming a government with the support of one other party.
How does New Zealand First view potential ties to Labour?
There is a significant disagreement between Labour and New Zealand First regarding future cooperation. While McAnulty described a partnership with Winston Peters’ party as “highly unlikely,” he did not rule it out entirely. In contrast, Peters has been emphatic that the door is shut.
During an interview on Herald Now, Peters rejected questions regarding a potential alliance with Labour, calling the inquiry a “wanker question.” He stated, “We’re not going with Labour.” However, National and ACT have expressed uncertainty regarding Peters’ future moves, noting his previous history of joining coalitions with Labour in 2005 and 2017.
What policy changes has Labour promised?
McAnulty used the interview to accuse the current government of attempting to “gerrymander” electoral processes by changing laws that prevent voters from enrolling in the final days before an election. He also committed to reversing government changes to social housing rents, which increase tenant contributions from 25% to 30% of their income.
The government previously announced these rent changes as part of Budget 2026, stating the overhaul would make support “fairer, better targeted, and more focused on encouraging independence.” National’s Nicola Willis has costed Labour’s plan to reverse these rental changes at $542 million over the forecast period.
What are the potential outcomes for the next election?
The election results could lead to several different scenarios for government formation. If Labour successfully reclaims the Māori seats, their reliance on Te Pāti Māori as a partner may decrease. If Opportunity reaches the 5% threshold, they could potentially become a factor in coalition negotiations.
Additionally, the conflicting stances between McAnulty’s openness to New Zealand First and Peters’ explicit rejection could lead to complex negotiations if neither Labour nor National secures a majority.
