MMP: why vote for a party outside of Parliament

I have been asked several times every week about the chances of smaller parties - like Destiny, CHP, Aotearoa Cannabis, the Alliance etc, getting into Parliament.

My answer: No chance.

Why? No parties have got into parliament without a current or former MP in their party since 1996. Ever. Only one party has ever got into Parliament without having a current elected MP. The Greens may possibly be the next one as none of its MP's are "elected" - they`re all list MPs. But they are in Parliament and that is the important thing.

But MMP in NZ has a big disadvantage: New parties find it hard to get over the five percent threshold or get an elected MP even if they have someone who has been in Parliament. Impossible if no one in the party has been an MP.

Something to think about when casting your party vote.