New Zealand Public Party

New Zealand Public Party (NZPP) was a political party in New Zealand that emerged in the context of the 2020 general elections. It was founded by Billy Te Kahika, a former musician turned political figure, who capitalized on a mix of populist and conspiracy theory-driven narratives. The party's platform focused on issues such as opposition to 5G technology, skepticism towards COVID-19 measures, and concerns over national sovereignty in the face of globalist agendas.

Formation and Ideology

The New Zealand Public Party was officially launched in mid-2020 by Billy Te Kahika. The party's formation was driven by a growing disillusionment among certain segments of the New Zealand population with the mainstream political discourse, particularly in relation to the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of 5G technology. The NZPP positioned itself as a voice for those who felt marginalized by the traditional political system, advocating for transparency, sovereignty, and freedom of choice.

Political Platform

The NZPP's political platform was diverse, touching on various issues that resonated with its base. Key points included:

• Opposition to the rollout of 5G technology, citing unproven health risks and lack of public consultation.
• Criticism of the New Zealand government's COVID-19 response measures, which the party viewed as overly restrictive and damaging to civil liberties.
• Concerns over vaccinations and the push for a COVID-19 vaccine, promoting the right to choose.
• Advocacy for direct democracy and increased public involvement in the political process.
• Opposition to international agreements and treaties that were perceived to undermine New Zealand's sovereignty.

Electoral Performance

In the 2020 general elections, the New Zealand Public Party did not run independently. Instead, it formed an alliance with the New Zealand Advance Party, another minor political party with similar views, to create the Advance NZ party. This alliance was seen as a strategic move to consolidate the vote of the anti-establishment and libertarian segments of the electorate. However, the coalition failed to gain significant traction, receiving only a small percentage of the national vote and failing to win any seats in the New Zealand Parliament.

Criticism and Controversy

The New Zealand Public Party and its founder, Billy Te Kahika, faced significant criticism and controversy, particularly from mainstream media and political analysts. Critics accused the party of spreading misinformation, particularly in relation to COVID-19 and 5G technology. The party's reliance on conspiracy theories and unverified claims was also a point of contention, leading to debates about the role of such narratives in New Zealand's political landscape.

Legacy

While the New Zealand Public Party did not achieve electoral success, its emergence highlighted the presence of a segment of the New Zealand population that was receptive to alternative political messages, especially those questioning the status quo on technology, health, and sovereignty issues. The party's brief existence and the discussions it provoked contributed to ongoing debates about misinformation, political polarization, and the challenges of addressing complex issues in a rapidly changing world.