The Opportunity Party (TOP)
Position: Centrist l Leader: Qiulae Wong l Currently: Outside Parliament
Website: Opportunity Party
What they stand for
Key Policies
The Opportunity Party sits in the political centre, seeking to bring evidence-based pragmatism to New Zealand politics. It aims to reduce political tribalism, bridge the gap between National and Labour on major challenges, and build a sustainable, high-wage economy. Their signature policy has long been shifting the tax base from labour (income) to capital (land and assets).
Tax Reform: A land/capital tax to fund income tax cuts for workers, reducing the incentive for speculative property investment.
Universal Basic Income: A strong proponent of a universal base income, funded by fairer taxation
Environment: Real climate action and protection of New Zealand's natural environment.
Economy: Evidence-based economic reform; high-wage, sustainable jobs; building infrastructure
Democracy: Reducing political tribalism encouraging cross-party cooperation.
The Opportunity Party was founded in 2016 by former investment banker Gareth Morgan.
2017: First election. Won 2.44% - not enough to enter Parliament (needed 5%, or a party electorate seat)
2017: Gareth Morgan stepped down after 2017. Geoff Simmons took over as leader.
2020: Won only 1.5%, causing leadership to change multiple times
2023: Under new leader Raf Manji then subsequent changes; won 2.22%
2026: Qiulae Wong leads the party into the 2026 election with a refreshed brand, targeting the 5% threshold
Party History
Qiulae Wong l Born: May 1988 l Role: The Opportunity Party leader & Candidate for Mount Albert
Qiulae Wong was born in Fiji in May 1988, is of Chinese and European descent. She grew up in the Auckland suburb of One Tree Hill. After school she studied at the University of Auckland, graduating with a double degree in Law and politics. Before politics Wong spent years in London working with fashion brands and founding start-ups in the sustainable fashion sector and the tech sector. Wong is married to Grant and has two daughters Malia and Cleo. Returning to New Zealand in 2022, Wong became the first Country Director for the B Corp movement in New Zealand.
The Opportunity Party had been without a permanent leader since Raf Manji resigned after 2023 election. In November 2025, Wong was selected at The Opportunity Part's fifth-ever leader. In the next election in November 2026, Wong is contesting the Mount Albert electorate in Auckland and chasing the 5% threshold to enter Parliament.
Wong brings a refreshingly different voice to New Zealand politics.