Radical shakeup of MMP recommended

The Electoral Commission is urging the Government to radically change the electoral system – lowering the party vote thresholds and abolishing the coat-tailing rule.

This would stop parties like the Ma¯ ori Party from having a second MP after winning a single electorate seat, and would heighten the chance that smaller parties like the Opportunities Party or the Conservatives make it into Parliament.

The commission made the recommendation in their review of the 2020 election, repeating a recommendation first made by the body in 2012. ‘‘The commission considers that the 2012 Review of MMP recommendations would improve New Zealand’s voting system and again recommends that they be considered by Parliament,’’ it wrote in its report.

The 2012 review followed a 2011 referendum on whether or not to keep New Zealand’s electoral system, and was largely ignored by then justice minister Judith Collins.

After two rounds of public consultation the commission recommended that the 5 per cent party vote threshold be lowered to 4 per cent. This would mean a party that won just 4 per cent of the party vote – as the Conservative Party almost managed in 2014 – would be elected to Parliament.

Meanwhile, the ‘‘coat-tailing’’ rule – which allows parties to evade the five per cent threshold if they win an electorate seat – would be abolished. The coat-tailing rule enables the Ma¯ ori Party to have a second MP alongside Rawiri Waititi, despite only winning 1.2 per cent of the party vote.

Justice Minister Kris Faafoi said any reform to MMP would have ‘‘significant implications’’ and would benefit from cross-party and public consultation. ‘‘Parliament’s Justice Committee, which is conducting is examining many of the issues covered in this 2020 Electoral Commission report, may consider MMP review recommendations as part of its current inquiry.’’

The ‘‘coat-tailing’’ rule – which allows parties to evade the five per cent threshold if they win an electorate seat – would be abolished.