United New Zealand
United New Zealand | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founder | Clive Matthewson |
| Founded | 28 June 1995 |
| Dissolved | 2000 |
| Split from | National Party Labour Party |
| Preceded by | Future NZ |
| Succeeded by | United Future |
| Ideology | Liberalism |
| Political position | Centre |
| International affiliation | None |
| Colours | Purple |
United New Zealand (
History
Formation
United was founded on 28 June 1995, one of a number of new parties hoping to capitalise on the upcoming switch to the
The MPs who established United were:[3]
| Name | Joined | Left | Prior affiliation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Austin | 1995 | 1996 | Labour | |
| Bruce Cliffe | 1995 | 1996 | National | |
| Peter Dunne | 1995 | 2000 | Future NZ | |
| Clive Matthewson | 1995 | 1996 | Labour | |
| Pauline Gardiner | 1995 | 1996 | National | |
| Peter Hilt | 1995 | 1996 | National | |
| John Robertson | 1995 | 1996 | National | |
1996 election
The party, while initially attracting interest, performed poorly in the 1996 election. The party's policies were centrist and liberal in nature but to many appeared too bland to attract media profile. In addition, Matthewson, while charismatic, was seen by many as an intellectual light-weight. Bruce Cliffe had indicated he would resign from Parliament in 1996. Peter Dunne was the only United MP to retain his seat, with all others being ejected from Parliament. Clive Matthewson, whose seat had been abolished in the change to MMP, placed fourth in his new electorate.
As the party's only surviving MP, Peter Dunne became leader of United. When United entered into a coalition with the governing National Party in 1996, securing a
1997 saw the merging into United of the Advance NZ Party, Ethnic Minority Party and the Conservatives; all small centre-right parties established to contest the 1996 election.
1999 election
In the 1999 election, United's share of the vote declined even further, with swinging voters shifting to Labour to oust the Shipley government. However, Peter Dunne managed to retain his electorate seat thereby preserving United's parliamentary representation.
Later developments
United merged with a social conservative, evangelical Christian-based party
Electoral results
| Election | seats won | party votes | popular vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 / 120
|
18,245 | 0.88% |
| 1999 | 1 / 120
|
11,065 | 0.54% |
References
- ^ "Unaititi - te Aka Māori Dictionary".
- ^ Edwards, Brent (28 June 1995). "MPs Jump Ship - Seven Quit for United Party". The Evening Post. p. 1.
- ^ a b Curtin, Jennifer; Miller, Raymond (16 November 2012). "Political parties - Small parties under MMP". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 7 June 2015.