New Zealand adopted MMP in 1996, replacing the British-style first-past-the-post system following concerns that smaller political parties were not adequately represented. Under New Zealand’s MMP electoral system, voters receive two votes: an electorate vote for a local candidate and a party vote. The remaining seats are filled from political party lists to make parliamentary representation broadly proportional to the party vote. Te Pāti Māori created an overhang after the 2023 election by winning six electorates despite receiving 3.1% of the party vote. With the Opportunity Party potentially playing a pivotal role in the 2026 election, debate over New Zealand’s MMP system and its political future is likely to intensify.