Election 2026: Why engineering an overhang is wrong (and how it actually works) – Bryce Edwards

Opinion byBryce EdwardsNZ Herald·2 Nov, 2026 11:46 PM7 mins to readDr Bryce Edwards is the director of the Democracy Project which scrutinises vested interests in politics.Act leader David Seymour (right) sits alongside Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi in Parliament's debating chamber. Photo/ RNZ, Angus DreaverFor most of this year, the development most likely to decide the election seemed to be the rise of the Opportunity Party, with its leader Qiulae Wong cast as kingmaker. In the final week of the campaign, that role has passed to the MMP overhang, a rule few voters paid