A Shift in the ACT Hierarchy
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has been named the new deputy leader of the ACT Party, succeeding Brooke van Velden. The appointment was confirmed at the party’s annual general meeting in Auckland, where leader David Seymour described the list MP as the “perfect choice” to step into the role van Velden held for six years.
The Transition of Power
The ACT caucus selected McKee to replace van Velden, who is standing down from Parliament at the election. McKee, who entered Parliament in 2020 and is currently leading a rewrite of the Arms Act, stated she is grateful for the trust placed in her by the caucus. McKee said she is very grateful van Velden is staying long enough to help teach her the ropes. Van Velden announced in March that she would not seek re-election, saying she wanted to “explore opportunities in the private sector”.
Defining a Political Identity
The leadership shift coincides with the launch of ACT’s election campaign, a drive centered on welfare reform and a reduction in the size of government. McKee used her address to distinguish her political identity, stating she does not need a political party to define her, while explicitly distancing herself from Te Pāti Māori. She highlighted her reinstatement of the Three Strikes law, work to speed up the courts, and reforming anti-money laundering rules as evidence of her broad policy focus beyond her reputation as the “gun lady.” McKee also stated: “Together, we are focused on locking Labour out so we can unlock New Zealand’s potential.”
Policy Targets and Election Strategy
The party is now moving forward with its newly unveiled policy platform. These plans include a mandatory payment card for Jobseeker Support recipients who remain on benefits for more than four months, which would restrict spending on items such as alcohol and gambling. Additionally, the party intends to overhaul the health and disability benefit system by requiring sign-offs from an independent pool of MSD-approved doctors rather than a claimant’s own GP. As the election approaches, the party faces rivals including National and NZ First, both of which Seymour criticized during the rally.
