Act leader David Seymour ignored the siren used on a megaphone, although Fire and Emergency couldn’t, after being called out to respond to reports of a siren on Auckland’s waterfront.
Nicole McKee is the new deputy leader of Act. Photo / Dean Purcell
MP Laura McClure acted as MC for the day, proudly announcing associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee as the new deputy leader of the party.
She replaces Brooke van Velden who is leaving Parliament at the election.
“The Act Caucus has placed its trust in me, and I am deeply grateful. Together, we are focused on locking Labour out so we can unlock New Zealand’s potential,” said McKee.
It was revealed after the rally that four MPs put their hands up for the role – a good chunk of the 11-member caucus.
Seymour said it was a secret vote, but confirmed after questioning there had been four candidates.
“If you look at this Act caucus, this is the most united, scandal-free caucus that you’ve seen in New Zealand politics this decade.
“We do things very carefully to be respectful of each other, and that’s how we hold our team together,” Seymour said.
McKee’s elevation to deputy means the two MPs at the top of the party are Māori.
“We all have equal opportunities, and everybody is treated with the same amount of dignity,” Seymour said when asked how that would sit with the critics who accuse his party of being anti-Māori.
“I think that’s something that every New Zealander should strive for, no matter what ethnicity you come from.”
In a speech peppered with insults at other parties and their MPS, Seymour sung a familiar tune, promising to cut bureaucracy and crack down on beneficiaries.
All health and disability benefits would be independently issued by Ministry of Social Development-approved pool of designated doctors, something that is optional right now, but Act would make compulsory.
The party also wants to introduce electronic money management for jobseeker recipients who remain on a benefit for more than four months.
The card would only allow spending on groceries, rent, childcare and other essentials, with alcohol, gambling, tobacco and cash withdrawals all banned.
Act Party caucus after its rally in Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell
The size of government is also in the party’s firing range.
“New Zealand has 78 ministerial portfolios, 28 ministers, and 43 departments. Norway has a similar population and runs with 20 ministers across 17 ministries,” Seymour said.
Under the proposal, 43 departments would become 19 and 28 ministers cut to just 18.
“It’d be very hard for us to sit in a bloated cabinet again,” Seymour said.
“It‘s our top priority so far, but we’ve got 132 days, and, you know, the Act Party’s never been short of policy,” he told reporters.
And there’s a warning that chief executives could be removed for specified reasons like non-performance.
The Public Service Commission would be abolished.
Asked if that would impact political service neutrality, he said people responsible for spending taxpayer funds should be politically accountable.
“So they should be politicised position. If you’re a smart minister, you will appoint the best person to the job because you’re going to need them.
“But ultimately, we’ve got to a stage in New Zealand where having a democratically elected person in charge is somehow dirty and, and if you put an unelected person in charge, that’s somehow better.”
David Seymour at the Act Party pre-election rally in Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell
He said the caucus accepted that would mean fewer of its MPs being ministers.
Seymour claimed if Act hadn’t been part of Government, three new taxes would be in place by now.
But he wouldn’t reveal what those were.
He also said the LNG terminal was the “least crazy” of the proposals discussed to relieve the energy crisis.
Seymour said the rally’s vibe was based on what a good friend had been involved in when she’d lived in Canada and worked with Pierre Poilievre.
He rejected it was “Trumpian”, saying Act works for all New Zealanders.
“We’ve had people standing up saying, actually, we’re here for New Zealanders of all backgrounds, whether they just migrated here or they’ve been here for 10 generations,” Seymour said.
“I’m not sure you’d hear that at one of his (Trump’s) rallies.”
McKee was warmly welcomed by party supporters.
“Remember the state has enormous power, but it must use that power carefully. That is why I’m in politics.”
Seymour used the event to kick off the theme of Act’s early campaign- keeping Labour out and unlocking growth.
He noted Act had never worked with Labour in any form, and never would.
He then attacked every other party.
“Hana Haka Party and Te Pāti Māori, worked with Labour,” Seymour said.
“We always said they stood for division, now they’ve divided themselves. In half. Three years, six MPs, and the best they could do for Māori is a haka on TikTok.”
“Then there’s Business Class Chloe from the Greens, who work with Labour. They’ve done about as much for the environment as the Māori Party have for Māori.
“Then there’s Cynical Chris Hipkins and the Labour Party themselves.
“There’s Wily Winnie and New Zealand First. We all know they’ve worked with Labour, especially the Oil and Gas industry.
“That’s Labour and those who would work with Labour. Who’s left?
“Clever Chris and the National Party. Are they Labour Lite? Maybe. It turns out they can also run left or right.”
McKee said her job now will be to support Seymour and keep rallying votes before the November 7 election.
She told the Herald she hoped to be part of team negotiating to get Act back into government after that.
Emotional video tributes were paid at the rally to van Velden and rural spokesperson Mark Cameron, who is retiring because of illness.
Cameron was in tears as he thanked everyone.
Departing Act MP Mark Cameron became emotional as he farewelled the party. Photo / Dean Purcell
Afterwards he told reporters: “I did get emotional.”
“I’ve loved being part of this group for six years. My kidneys are failing, and, and I’m on dialysis three days a week.
“I cannot live with consciousness, go to work knowing that I’m being paid by the taxpayer, not doing my job.
“And I’m deeply moved by that because I’m going to miss this crew, and what a wonderful family to be part of, and I genuinely mean that.”
His colleagues were also emotional at times.
Van Velden, who is pregnant, said it had been a privilege to serve as deputy leader over the last six years.
“I go knowing that we have such a powerful team behind us and I’m so proud of them and I cannot wait to see how things go for the 2026 election.”
Seymour joked he hoped van Velden’s baby would be easier to manage than the party’s caucus.
Katie Bradford is a Senior Correspondent at the Herald. She has been a broadcast journalist for over 20 years and was based in the press gallery for 10 years. She specialises in politics, business and Auckland issues.