The Alliance Party officially launched its campaign for the 2026 General Election at its National Conference in Christchurch yesterday, Saturday 14 February.

Members from across Aotearoa gathered at the Trade Union Centre to ratify the party’s constitution, elect national officers, and confirm the policy platform for the upcoming election.

The Conference confirmed the Alliance’s strategy to stand candidates in key electorates across the country for the General Election on 7 November 2026.

A new national executive was elected to lead the party through the election year. The conference saw a mix of members elected to general executive positions.

Tom Roud was elected Party President and Victor Billot was elected Party Leader.

Alliance Party leader Victor Billot says the event marks a pivotal moment for the political left in New Zealand.

“The Alliance is back to offer a genuine social democratic alternative to the failed policies of the status quo,” said Mr Billot.

Alliance Party President Tom Roud says the Alliance will campaign on a platform of tax justice, public ownership of assets, free healthcare and education, and secure housing.

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Context: The history of the Alliance Party

The Alliance was founded in December 1991 as a broad-left coalition designed to offer a cohesive alternative to the Labour and National parties. It was initially formed by four minor parties – NewLabour (led by Jim Anderton), the Green Party, Mana Motuhake, and the Democrats – with the Liberal Party joining shortly after.

The Alliance sought to challenge the neoliberal economic reforms (‘Rogernomics’ and ‘Ruthenasia’) of the 1980s and early 1990s. Its founding leader, Jim Anderton, became a pivotal figure in New Zealand politics.

The Alliance was a major force in the transition to the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system.

In 1993, the Alliance achieved a high-water mark of 18.2% of the popular vote, but secured only two seats due to the First Past the Post (FPP) system.

In the first MMP election of 1996, the party won 13 seats (10.1% of the vote), solidifying its status as a third major force in Parliament.

In 1999, the Alliance formed a coalition government with the Labour Party, resulting in Jim Anderton becoming Deputy Prime Minister. While in government, the party secured key wins, including the establishment of Kiwibank and the Paid Parental Leave scheme.

However, internal tensions over the party's direction and New Zealand’s involvement in the war in Afghanistan led to a public split in 2002 with the majority of the party opposed to New Zealand involvement, a position that has since been vindicated. Jim Anderton left taking several MPs with him. The remaining Alliance failed to retain any seats in the 2002 election.

Following over a decade of extra-parliamentary activity, the party was deregistered at its own request in 2015.

In mid-2025, the Alliance announced its relaunch, signalling a return to active politics. As of February 2026, the party has confirmed it will stand candidates in upcoming elections, positioning itself once again as a distinct left-wing voice in the political landscape.

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