Free to Disagree: Could MMP break?

Free to Disagree: Could MMP break?

From The New Zealand Initiative by The New Zealand Initiative

August 23, 2026 · 42 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of MMP on New Zealand politics, coalition dynamics, and international relations involving the U.S. and South Korea.

Here is the full third episode of Free to Disagree, our new weekly show with Oliver Hartwich and Damien Grant. Te Pāti Māori have told supporters to give them their electorate vote and send their party vote elsewhere. Oliver and Damien ask what happens if National voters start doing the same, and whether MMP survives it. Next, they discuss coalitions and deficits, and Oliver's argument that every additional party in a coalition makes a balanced budget harder. And finally, Donald Trump scaled back a military exercise with South Korea on Truth Social, and they ask what it means for America's allies in the Pacific. Free to Disagree is a weekly conversation about New Zealand politics and economics with Oliver Hartwich and Damien Grant. Two friends on broadly the same side of politics who find plenty to disagree about anyway. Each week they discuss three big issues, leading up to the election. Free to Disagree lives on its own feed where you will find every episode. So if you are enjoying it, follow the show directly. Search Free to Disagree in your podcast app and follow it there. Apple Podcasts…

People in this episode

Hosts: Oliver Hartwich, Damien Grant

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Te Pāti Māori, National, South Korea

Places: America, Pacific

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