2 weeks Ago By Bruce Cotterill
THREE KEY FACTS The 2026 election marks 30 years of the mixed-member proportional (MMP) voting system . Critics argue MMP over-represents minorities and fringe interests, neglecting mainstream issues like health and housing. Suggestions include reducing MPs to 90, setting a minimum age of 35, and limiting terms.
The recent antics within a couple of our minor political parties should force us to think about the future of our voting system. The next general election in 2026 will see the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the MMP electoral voting system. MMP stands for mixed-member proportional and it replaced the “first past the post” (FPP) system we had had previously after a referendum in 1993.
The main intention of MMP was to ensure that those who entered Parliament represented the broader diversity of New Zealand society. Greater representation for Māori and women in particular was at the forefront of the argument put forward in its favour..
