Act party founder Roger Douglas now a 'swing voter'

Act party founder Roger Douglas now a 'swing voter'
Roger Douglas in 2008 with then-Act leader Rodney Hide. (Image: Getty)
Pattrick Smellie
The Act party has become a party that “represents only the wealthy”, says one of its founders, Roger Douglas.The one-time reforming finance minister Roger Douglas for the Labour government led by prime minister David Lange said in a 22-page “open letter to New Zealand voters” that he has yet to decide who to vote for at the Oct 14 general election.“While I have voted Act in the last nine elections, since 2002, I have not done so with much enthusiasm,” he wrote in the letter, released first to BusinessDesk. &l...

More Policy

Willis, Edmonds offer 'boardroom' bipartisan vibes
Economy

Willis, Edmonds offer 'boardroom' bipartisan vibes

'We are the centre, Labour and National,' said Labour's Barbara Edmonds.

Pattrick Smellie 24 Sep 2025
Fear, panic and a sour mood in the boardroom
Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: Fear, panic and a sour mood in the boardroom

Strong on the world stage, the PM’s weaknesses at home are hurting him.

Dileepa Fonseka 24 Sep 2025
New Employment Leave Act aims to reduce complexity
Policy

New Employment Leave Act aims to reduce complexity

Cabinet will repeal and replace the Holidays Act 2003 with a new Employment Leave Act that is simpler and easier to understand, said Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden.“The problems with the act have been well canvassed over the years, costing billions in l...

Staff reporters 23 Sep 2025
Auditor general's fast track warning
Policy

Auditor general's fast track warning

Review found the fast track process was tighter than current Cabinet Manual rules.

Michael Neilson 22 Sep 2025