I’m a political outsider like Donald Trump, Morgan says

I think Colin Craig and Kim Dotcom demonstrated that having a lot of money is useful but an insufficient condition. James Shaw, Greens

Gareth Morgan says his cat campaign will help his new political party get votes — and has framed himself as an anti- establishment candidate like America’s Donald Trump.

Morgan, a businessman and philanthropist well known for his 2013 campaign to eradicate domestic cats in a bid to save native birds, yesterday launched The Opportunities Party ( Top) ahead of next year’s election. He didn’t plan to contest an electorate seat, meaning Top will need to capture 5 per cent of the party vote next year. But he did plan to take his outspokenness to Parliament, likening himself to Trump.

Green Party co- leader James Shaw warned that a vote for Morgan’s Top would likely be wasted, given it would need to pass the 5 per cent threshold to make it to Parliament.

“I think Colin Craig and Kim Dotcom demonstrated that having a lot of money is useful but an insufficient condition.” Shaw also said Morgan’s 2013 campaign to eradicate domestic cats would hurt his new party’s prospects.

That was dismissed by Morgan, who said it had led to successful campaigns by local councils to have cats microchipped and desexed.

“I’m feeling quite proud of what we did with cats now . . . the whole cat thing now is in the hands of the regional councils and the district councils to implement. It’s about having cats and wildlife compatible. It’s not that hard.”

Morgan was asked by media if he worried he could end up playing a similar role to that of Dotcom at the last election.

“Kim Dotcom? Let me think of something better. How about Trump. We just stand on our own merits and the people in New Zealand will decide,” Morgan said.

He went on to clarify that he liked “nothing” about Trump’s campaign, but saw himself as a figure outside of the political establishment.

“I think that New Zealand is really not fulfilling its potential. I see things like the level of inequality that we have got . . . obviously poverty. . . and the latest in this saga i s the falling affordability of housing.

Top will release about six key policies, with the first a housing- related policy on December 8. If public support looked to be forthcoming, the party would aim to register in March.

Morgan has resigned as a trustee of his foundation to head the party.

National’s campaign chair Steven Joyce said getting to 5 per cent wouldn’t be easy for Morgan, “but good luck to him”.