Pee Kay
No Minister
The concept of weaponizing the “overhang” scenario is gaining significant momentum, moving from a niche strategy discussed by political commentators straight into mainstream voter consciousness.
I posited this theory in my https://nominister.wordpress.com/2026/07/20/national-the-enemy-within-3/ post.
In his latest article, Bill Chambers offers a remarkably clear and concise blueprint on how voters can actively use this mechanism to shift the balance of power.
Given the growing chorus of commentaries advocating for a strategic vote to punish National, you would think Christopher Luxon and his inner circle would stop to take notice. However, reports of Luxon’s ‘my way or the highway’ leadership style during his tenure at Air New Zealand suggest otherwise. It is far more likely he will adopt a ‘damn the torpedoes’ attitude, stubbornly pushing forward with policies that deliver more influence and control to Māori leaders.
Chambers captures the urgency of this movement perfectly:
I have never voted for the ACT Party in my life, but things have reached the stage where the political situation is so seriously concerning, that the only sensible (responsible) thing to do is to utilise ‘power of the people’ and PARTY vote ACT.
If National wants to avoid a disaster, Mr Luxon needs to stop talking, tune out his political advisors, and start listening to actual voters before they steer the party over a very dangerous cliff!
If Bill’s heartfelt plea, or is it solution, is not exactly the same as so many National and ex National voters are thinking and feeling, I do not know what is.
By Dr William Chambers
MMP can be a problematic system … but, with a good understanding of its intricacies, there is a way for the National coalition to be more assured of winning the election; and at the same time, give ACT and NZ First more say in crucial matters such as equal ‘rights’ for all New Zealanders … which National have been proven too timid to implement, despite having promised to do so before the last election.
The trick is that if voters give the local electorate vote to their National candidate, but give their crucial party vote to ACT or NZ First, it will mean National wins local seats but drops to zero list MPs.
And because ACT and NZ First absorb those party votes, their list seats are expanded.
It’s complicated, but this process could create an overhang, with the result being an expansion to the total size of parliament … to the advantage of the coalition.
So, this strategic voting could not only ensure the centre-right block has a better chance of winning, but would strip National of absolute control in the coalition.
You’ll notice Luxon has cottoned on to this strategic style of voting, and so, is advising people to party vote National. But let’s be honest, they don’t deserve a party vote. They’ve had their chance as the dominant partner … and let the side down, by allowing co-governance and Māori ‘control’ to creep in.
The fact is, they were prepared to stand back and allow the situation to reach the stage where the Māori Mafia could use stand-over tactics, by for example, demanding $180 million in return for not objecting to the Waitaki hydro resource consent. And another example of extortion was seen when a Tauranga iwi demanded $450 million to withdraw objections to the Port of Tauranga’s expansion plans!
For National not to have had the gumption to nip this unjustified blackmailing in the bud long ago, means they’ve never really been concerned about where it would all end.
The party vote must go to the other coalition partners. Although, NZ First doesn’t deserve it either, because they have a history of making the same old promises before each and every election, just to get into power … but have proven not to be trusted to actually do much at all when in. Their trick is to rely on people having short memories. Which is why their main voting base is made up of old folk.
David Seymour is the only leader with honourable intent. He genuinely means well, and has proven he’s got the fortitude to fight for what is right.
Note: I have never voted for the ACT Party in my life, but things have reached the stage where the political situation is so seriously concerning, that the only sensible (responsible) thing to do is to utilise “power of the people” and PARTY vote ACT.
This article was originally published by No Minister.
