The threshold is the minimum a party needs before it gets any seats from the party vote. In New Zealand a party must win at least 5% of the nationwide party vote, or win at least one electorate seat. A party that misses both gets no seats, even with tens of thousands of votes.
The threshold is the minimum a party needs before it gets any seats from the party vote. In New Zealand a party must win at least 5% of the nationwide party vote, or win at least one electorate seat. A party that misses both gets no seats, even with tens of thousands of votes.
5% of the party vote, or one electorate win.
Miss both and the party gets zero seats.
Those votes are then shared among qualifying parties.
People disagree about whether 5% is too high.
Without a threshold, a party with 0.9% of the vote would win a seat. Parliament could end up with a dozen tiny parties, and forming a stable government would get very hard.
The threshold is a trade-off between representing everyone exactly and being able to govern at all.
If a party wins one electorate seat, it collects its full proportional share even if it is under 5%. So a party on 3% with one electorate win can bring in extra list MPs.
Some people think this is a fair safety valve. Others think it is unfair that a local win can override a national rule. Both views are widely held.
Has the threshold ever changed?
It has been 5% since MMP began, though reviews have suggested lowering it.
What is a wasted vote?
A party vote for a party that ends up with no seats. It does not help that party win representation.