Will's Word: Why this Gen Z voter is taking Opportunity seriously

I'm becoming increasingly impressed with the Opportunity Party, and dare I say it, they are fast becoming a genuinely viable option at this year's election.

For years, I've argued that Opportunity's biggest problem wasn't a lack of ideas. It was that those ideas were often buried beneath layers of policy detail that were difficult to communicate and even harder to sell to everyday New Zealanders.

This current iteration feels different.

The party is doing a far better job of explaining what it stands for and, more importantly, why people should care. Complex ideas are being translated into something voters can actually understand.

I listened to leader Qiulae 'Q' Wong on talkback yesterday. That's no easy gig. Talkback callers can be brutal. They can be harsh, unforgiving and, in many ways, represent the pulse of heartland New Zealand.

Wong was confident and able to explain her party's platform in plain English. Crucially, she didn't sound like a robot reading from a script, which is often the trap inexperienced politicians fall into.

Watch Q Wong's full interview below.

I'll admit, when news first broke of Opportunity's reset late last year, I was sceptical. I dismissed it as little more than a flashy rebrand.

I was wrong.

The party is building momentum. We're seeing that reflected in the polls, and we're seeing its leader increasingly break through in the media.

What's really caught my attention, though, is something far less scientific.

I have two groups of friends. One consists of political tragics who consume every poll, every interview and every bit of Wellington beltway gossip. The other group couldn't care less about politics. They're 24, 25 and 26-year-olds I met at raves, nights out and through everyday life.

Need I remind you, I'm 25 too, although some people seem convinced I'm 52.

With New Zealand heading towards this year's general election, smaller parties are working to win support and position themselves as potential coalition partners in the next Parliament. Photo/RNZ/Tim Collins

So I'm firmly Gen Z. And when people my age who normally switch off from politics are talking about Opportunity, and seriously considering voting for them, that tells me the party is reaching beyond the usual political bubble.

And that should concern New Zealand First.

For decades, Winston Peters has occupied the role of kingmaker. But Opportunity's rise presents a real threat to that position. A growing centre party with younger voters and fresh appeal could reshape the balance of power.

And if I were National or Labour, I'd be giving serious thought to Opportunity as a coalition partner after the election.

For National, a deal with Opportunity could offer a path to governing without being dragged into endless culture war battles.

Opportunity Party leader Q Wong says the party is focused on making its policies easier for voters to understand as it looks to build support ahead of this year's election. Photo/Supplied

For Labour, Opportunity might look increasingly attractive compared with the instability and internal dramas that continue to engulf Te Pāti Māori.

Of course, Opportunity still has a mountain to climb, and crossing the five percent threshold remains a formidable challenge.

But for the first time in a long time, the Opportunity Party feels more like a serious political force.

New Zealand's general election will be held on 7 November.