Deciding who to vote for in New Zealand depends on your personal values, priorities, and views on key issues. Here are some ways to help you make an informed choice:
Use Online Tools to Find Your Match
- Vote Compass is a widely used interactive tool developed by political scientists that asks you to agree or disagree with statements on issues like health, education, environment, and tax. It then shows how your views align with different parties’ policies, helping you identify which parties best match your beliefs
- Another similar tool is the iSideWith political quiz , which also matches your political beliefs with parties and candidates in New Zealand
- Policy.nz offers a comprehensive guide to party policies, candidates, and local electorate information, allowing you to compare parties on key issues relevant to your community
Consider Party Platforms and Policies
- If you prioritize economic growth, support for small businesses, health care improvements, climate action, and social welfare such as better housing and child support, the Labour Party presents a five-point plan focused on rebuilding and recovery, climate commitments, raising wages, and improving public services
- If you prefer a different approach to economic management or public services, you can explore other parties’ platforms through the tools mentioned above to see which aligns with your views.
Reflect on Leadership and Track Record
- Labour highlights Jacinda Ardern’s leadership through crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and her focus on social issues as a reason to continue supporting them
- Other parties will have different leadership styles and priorities, which you can evaluate based on your preferences.
Summary
To decide who to vote for in New Zealand, the best approach is to:
- Use Vote Compass or similar quizzes to see which parties align with your views.
- Review party policies on issues important to you via Policy.nz or party websites.
- Consider leadership qualities and past performance.
- Make your decision based on a combination of these factors to vote in line with your values and priorities
