2020 Election: Advance NZ Approaching 1%

A new party that grew on social media in the wake of conspiracy theories and opposition to the Covid-19 shutdowns has failed in its attempt to enter Parliament.

Advance NZ got about 0.9 percent of the preliminary vote.

He had more of an impact online than at the polls, and will be remembered for the anti-lockdown protests in the run-up to the elections, and his outlandish claims and promotion of misinformation (one candidate claimed the Lake Ōhau fires were caused By a direct energy weapon, for example).

The party is co-led by blues musician Billy Te Kahika Jr, who was part of the Te Tai Tokerau electorate, and former National Party MP Jami-Lee Ross.

Te Kahika’s New Zealand Public Party formed an alliance with Ross’s Advance NZ Party in June.

Advance NZ had a large following on social media, with supporters sharing conspiracy theories about Covid-19, the United Nations, and 5G, among others. Thousands of party supporters also marched and rallied against Covid-19 restrictions and shutdowns, even during level 2 restrictions.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) submitted a complaint about the New Zealand Public Party and its collection and use of donations to the Election Commission, which ultimately did not take action because the party was not registered.

Ross, who left the race for the Botanica electorate, was charged with voter fraud earlier this year, after a 10-month OFS investigation. He denies the charges, which relate to donations paid to the National Party.

Both Labor and National ruled out working with Advance NZ, and Judith Collins explained that it was because “I’m not crazy.” The party’s Facebook account was removed for violating disinformation policies.