Waka-jumping
Encyclopedia
New Zealand
ers speak colloquially of waka-jumping (or more conventionally, party-hopping) when elected politicians switch political parties
between elections (taking their parliamentary seat with them and potentially upsetting electoral proportionality in the New Zealand Parliament).
The advent of MMP
in New Zealand parliamentary politics in the 1990s — culminating in the use of the new electoral system from 1996 onwards — led to a series of defections and re-alignments as the old monolithic two-party system
broke up and many politicians struggled to define and project their images and beliefs in new parties and groupings. The new political climate tended to favour the foundation of political parties (whereas in former times dissidents had often simply became independent MPs). Voters tended to punish many waka-jumpers in this period, but some survived and flourished, often to the disgust of their former party colleagues. Due to the frequency of waka-jumping in national politics, New Zealand enacted legislation (the Electoral Integrity Act of 2001, expired at the 2005 election) which required politicians elected from a party list to resign from Parliament if they left their party's parliamentary caucus
. As the actions of the Progressive Party
in 2002 showed, parties can still find ways around such law.
word waka
applies often to a large Māori canoe (or any vehicle).
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
ers speak colloquially of waka-jumping (or more conventionally, party-hopping) when elected politicians switch political parties
Party switching
Party-switching is any change in political party affiliation of a partisan public figure, usually one currently holding elected office.In many countries, party-switching takes the form of politicians refusing to support their political parties in coalition governments...
between elections (taking their parliamentary seat with them and potentially upsetting electoral proportionality in the New Zealand Parliament).
The advent of MMP
Mixed member proportional representation
Mixed-member proportional representation, also termed mixed-member proportional voting and commonly abbreviated to MMP, is a voting system originally used to elect representatives to the German Bundestag, and nowadays adopted by numerous legislatures around the world...
in New Zealand parliamentary politics in the 1990s — culminating in the use of the new electoral system from 1996 onwards — led to a series of defections and re-alignments as the old monolithic two-party system
Two-party system
A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected offices are members of one of the two major parties...
broke up and many politicians struggled to define and project their images and beliefs in new parties and groupings. The new political climate tended to favour the foundation of political parties (whereas in former times dissidents had often simply became independent MPs). Voters tended to punish many waka-jumpers in this period, but some survived and flourished, often to the disgust of their former party colleagues. Due to the frequency of waka-jumping in national politics, New Zealand enacted legislation (the Electoral Integrity Act of 2001, expired at the 2005 election) which required politicians elected from a party list to resign from Parliament if they left their party's parliamentary caucus
Caucus
A caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement, especially in the United States and Canada. As the use of the term has been expanded the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.-Origin of the term:...
. As the actions of the Progressive Party
New Zealand Progressive Party
Jim Anderton's Progressive Party , is a New Zealand political party generally somewhat to the left of its ally, the Labour Party....
in 2002 showed, parties can still find ways around such law.
Etymology
The MāoriMaori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
word waka
Waka (canoe)
Waka are Māori watercraft, usually canoes ranging in size from small, unornamented canoes used for fishing and river travel, to large decorated war canoes up to long...
applies often to a large Māori canoe (or any vehicle).
Waka-jumpers: 1989- 2009
- Jim AndertonJim AndertonJames Patrick Anderton, usually known as Jim Anderton , is the leader of the Progressive Party, a New Zealand political party. He has served in Parliament since 1984. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1999 to 2002 and is currently also the sitting Father of the House, the longest...
, 1989, from LabourNew Zealand Labour PartyThe New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
to NewLabourNewLabour Party (New Zealand)NewLabour was a left-of-centre party founded in 1989 by Jim Anderton, an MP and former President of the New Zealand Labour Party.NewLabour was established by a number of Labour Party members who left the party in reaction to "Rogernomics", the economic policies implemented by the Labour Party's... - Ross MeurantRoss MeurantAlan Ross Meurant is a New Zealand public figure who has at various times gained public attention as a police officer, a businessman, a politician, and a political lobbyist.- Police :...
, 1994 - 1996 from NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
to Right of Centre - Peter DunnePeter DunnePeter Dunne is a New Zealand politician and Member of Parliament who leads the United Future political party. He has served as a Cabinet minister in governments dominated by the centre-left Labour Party as well as by the centre-right National Party...
, 1994 - 1995, from LabourNew Zealand Labour PartyThe New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
to Future New ZealandFuture New ZealandThe Kiwi Party is a New Zealand political party formed in 2007. Briefly known as Future New Zealand, it is a breakaway from the United Future New Zealand party and seeks to carry on the tradition of Future New Zealand. The party was formed when MP Gordon Copeland left United Future after a dispute... - Graham LeeGraham LeeGraham Lee may refer to:*Graham Lee , Irish jockey*Graham Lee , British trombonist*Graham Lee , rock guitaristSee also:*Graeme Lee...
, 1995 - 1996, from NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
to Christian Democrat - Trevor RogersTrevor RogersTrevor Vicemar Rogers is a former New Zealand member of parliament, sitting for the National Party from 1990 to 1995, then for the Right of Centre party from 1995 to 1996.-Member of Parliament:...
, 1995 - 1996, from NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
to Right of Centre - Clive MatthewsonClive MatthewsonClive Denby Matthewson MNZM , is a former New Zealand politician.Matthewson was originally a member of the Labour Party, representing the Dunedin West seat. He left Labour in 1995 to jointly establish the United New Zealand party with six other sitting MPs...
, 1995 - 1996, from LabourNew Zealand Labour PartyThe New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
to United New ZealandUnited New ZealandUnited New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... - Margaret AustinMargaret AustinMargaret Elizabeth Austin, CNZM is a former New Zealand politician. She was an MP from 1984 to 1996, representing first the Labour Party and then United New Zealand....
, 1995 - 1996, from LabourNew Zealand Labour PartyThe New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
to United New ZealandUnited New ZealandUnited New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... - Bruce CliffeBruce CliffeBruce Windsor Cliffe is an international business man and a former New Zealand politician. He was born in Auckland, and attended Takapuna Grammar School.-Member of Parliament:...
, 1995 - 1996, from NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
to United New ZealandUnited New ZealandUnited New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... - Pauline Gardner, 1995 - 1996, from NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
to United New ZealandUnited New ZealandUnited New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... - Peter HiltPeter HiltPeter Malcolm Hilt is a former New Zealand politician. He was born in Auckland, and attended Takapuna Grammar School.- Biography :...
, 1995 - 1996, from NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
to United New ZealandUnited New ZealandUnited New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... - John RobertsonJohn Robertson-United Kingdom politicians:* John Robertson , MP for Bothwell, Lanarkshire 1919–1926* John Robertson , British Labour Party MP 1961–1979 for Berwick and Haddington, then Berwick and East Lothian...
, 1995 - 1996, from NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
to United New ZealandUnited New ZealandUnited New Zealand was a centrist political party in New Zealand founded in 1995. It merged with the Christian-based Future New Zealand party to form the United Future New Zealand party in 2000.-History:... - Michael LawsMichael LawsMichael Laws is a New Zealand politician, broadcaster and writer/columnist. He served two terms as a Member of the New Zealand Parliament, representing the National Party and New Zealand First . He was elected as Mayor of Wanganui in 2004, was re-elected in 2007 but announced his retirement from...
, 1996, from NationalNew Zealand National PartyThe New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
to New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992... - Alamein KopuAlamein Kopu- Birth and early life :Kopu was raised in Opotiki. Her family was not wealthy, and Kopu characterises her youth as containing "much hardship". In 1978, her family moved to Sydney, Australia. In Australia, Kopu became involved with community programs aimed at drug users and prostitutes, something...
, 1997 - 1998, from AllianceAlliance (New Zealand political party)The Alliance is a left-wing political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1991, and was influential in the 1990s, but has since declined and has no representation in parliament. It suffered a major setback after Jim Anderton, the party's leader, left the party in 2002, taking several of the...
to Mana WahineMana Wahine Te Ira TangataMana Wahine Te Ira Tangata was a small and short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was established by Alamein Kopu, a member of the New Zealand Parliament who had left her original party . After a short time as an independent MP, Kopu established Mana Wahine as her own party... - Frank GroverFrank GroverFrank Grover is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1996 to 1999, representing first the Alliance and then the Christian Heritage Party in the House of Representatives.-The Liberals:...
, 1998-1999, from AllianceAllianceAn alliance is an agreement or friendship between two or more parties, made in order to advance common goals and to secure common interests.See also military alliance and business alliance.-International relations:...
to Christian Heritage Party of New Zealand - Tau HenareTau HenareTau Henare is a New Zealand Māori parliamentarian. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1993 to 1999 and returned to Parliament in 2005. He has been involved with four political parties: Mana Motuhake, New Zealand First, Mauri Pacific and the National Party - representing three in...
, 1998, from New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
to Mauri PacificMauri PacificMauri Pacific was a short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1998 by five former members of the New Zealand First party. It has often been described as a Māori party. Officially, Mauri Pacific was a multiculturalist party, welcoming anyone who supported racial and cultural... - Jack ElderJack ElderJack Arnold Elder is a former New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1984 to 1999, representing first the Labour Party, then New Zealand First, and then Mauri Pacific.-Early life:...
, 1998, from New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
to Mauri PacificMauri PacificMauri Pacific was a short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1998 by five former members of the New Zealand First party. It has often been described as a Māori party. Officially, Mauri Pacific was a multiculturalist party, welcoming anyone who supported racial and cultural... - Peter McCardlePeter McCardlePeter McCardle , is a New Zealand politician. He was an MP from 1990 to 1999, first as a member of the National Party, then as a member of New Zealand First, and finally as an independent...
, 1998, from New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
to Mauri PacificMauri PacificMauri Pacific was a short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1998 by five former members of the New Zealand First party. It has often been described as a Māori party. Officially, Mauri Pacific was a multiculturalist party, welcoming anyone who supported racial and cultural... - Tuariki DelamereTuariki DelamereTuariki John Delamere is a former New Zealand politician. He served as an MP from 1996 to 1999, and was a member of Cabinet for the duration of his term.-Before politics:...
, 1998, from New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
to Mauri PacificMauri PacificMauri Pacific was a short-lived political party in New Zealand. It was formed in 1998 by five former members of the New Zealand First party. It has often been described as a Māori party. Officially, Mauri Pacific was a multiculturalist party, welcoming anyone who supported racial and cultural... - Deborah MorrisDeborah MorrisDeborah Morris-Travers is a former New Zealand politician. She was a list MP for New Zealand First from 1996 to 1999.-Member of Parliament:Morris was an MP from 1996 to 1999, representing the New Zealand First party...
, 1998, from New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
to IndependentIndependent (politician)In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... - Rana WaitaiRana WaitaiRana Donald Waitai is a former politician. He was an MP from 1996 to 1999.-Early years:His father was Te Rangi Koroingo Te Oreore Waitai born and died in Lower Hutt...
, 1998, from New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
to IndependentIndependent (politician)In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... - Tuku MorganTuku MorganTukoroirangi Morgan is a New Zealand Māori politician. He was chair of Te Arataura, the Waikato-Tainui committee or tribal parliament, but his status and membership within that body remain undecided...
, 1998, from New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
to IndependentIndependent (politician)In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... - Ann BattenAnn Batten-Member of Parliament:She was an MP from 1996 to 1999. She was elected to Parliament in the 1996 elections as a New Zealand First list MP. In 1998, when New Zealand First splintered, Batten was one of the eight MPs who left the party. She eventually joined with four other MPs to form the Mauri...
, 1998, from New Zealand FirstNew Zealand FirstNew Zealand First is a political party in New Zealand that was founded in 1993, following party founder Winston Peters' resignation from the National Party in 1992...
to IndependentIndependent (politician)In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... - Donna Awatere HuataDonna Awatere HuataDonna Lynn Awatere Huata is a former member of the New Zealand Parliament for the ACT Party, former activist for Māori causes, and convicted fraudster.-Early life:...
, 2003 - 2004, from ACT New Zealand to Independent - Gordon CopelandGordon CopelandGordon Copeland is a New Zealand politician who was a Member of Parliament from 2002 to 2008. He was a list MP for the United Future New Zealand party from 2002 until he resigned from the party in 2007. He is now Party President of The Kiwi Party, which he co-founded with another former United...
, 2007-2008, from United Future New Zealand to The Kiwi Party - Taito Phillip FieldTaito Phillip FieldTaito Phillip Hans Field is a Samoan New Zealand politician. He was a Member of Parliament for south Auckland electorates from 1993 to 2008. Field was a minister outside Cabinet in a Labour-led government from 2003 to 2005. Following charges of bribery and perverting the course of justice, he was...
, 2007-2008, from New Zealand Labour PartyNew Zealand Labour PartyThe New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially progressive and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935....
to New Zealand Pacific PartyNew Zealand Pacific PartyThe New Zealand Pacific Party was a Christian political party that existed in New Zealand from 2008 to 2010. The party was founded as a vehicle for former Labour MP Taito Phillip Field, who was subsequently convicted for bribery and corruption...