How to maximise our electorate's representation in Parliament

Oliver Neighbourly Lead from One Tree Point

During the last parliamentary term (2020-2023) we were fortunate to have two Members of Parliament (MPs) represent our Whangārei general electorate, Dr Emily Henderson (Labour) and Dr Shane Reti (National).
As it stands, Dr Reti will return to Parliament, no matter the outcome of the upcoming general election, since he is ranked #4 on the National Party list. Giving our electorate vote to him will not influence that in any way - in fact, we will indirectly vote for a random National Party candidate way down the list (in the 40s or 50s), who will represent a different electorate (or none at all). It is prudent to give our electoral vote to a different Whangārei candidate who is ranked low on their respective party's list and won't make it into Parliament on the party vote. That way we will once again be represented by two MPs and double our chances that our electorate's issues and wishes will be recognised and included. The same logic applies to our Te Tai Tokerau Māori electorate, where the incumbent MP Kelvin Davis (Labour) is also guaranteed a seat in the next Parliament, being ranked #2 on the Labour Party list.
As for our party vote, it makes sense to vote for the party we like best and which aligns most with our values, rather than voting "tactically" for a party we don't really prefer, just to try and keep another party out that we like even less. Voting for the party we really support will increase their number of MPs in Parliament (or give them a real chance to make it past the dreaded 5% threshold) and also improve their representation on select committees, where the real work is done and submissions are being heard between the first and second readings of new legislation. If we don't vote for the party we most identify with, we will rob them of the opportunity to make a difference at the negotiation table and shape future legislation in the way we want.
Let's not waste our two votes on a candidate who will get in anyway, or a party we don't actually want (or worst of all, by not voting at all).
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