Of the two defiant minor coalition partners, NZ First continues to evade punishment

PremiumOpinionOpinion byAndrew KetelsNZ Herald·22 Jul, 2026 05:00 PM6 mins to readAndrew Ketels was the Act Party’s chief of staff from 2020 to 2025 and has worked as an advisor to the National Party. He is currently head of government relations for corporate affairs firm Sherson Willis.‌Winston Peters and NZ First have been running a highly effective campaign for three years. Photo / Mark MitchellRight-wing voters tell focus groups they’re turned off by the bickering that goes on inside the coalition, and that the parties that make up the Government need to put their differences aside and work together for the good of the country.

National and Act have probably paid a price