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Billy Te Kahika. Photo: NZ Herald
Billy Te Kahika. Photo: NZ Herald
Advance NZ co-leader Billy Te Kahika has severed ties with the party after it failed to make it into Parliament.

An email sent to party supporters by co-leader and former National MP Jami-Lee Ross last night said Te Kahika informed Advance NZ candidates that he has decided not to continue with the party.

"Naturally this is sad for us all," Ross said.

He said Te Kahika has inspired many people around New Zealand, saying this is not the end of the party.

"Advance NZ will be continuing, and will be restructuring into the next phase of our journey.

"The haste of the election campaign meant everything was done in a hurry. Our reconstituted party, with more time now, will be the democratic, transparent and professional party that members, supporters and candidates deserve.

"In the coming months we will be completing the review that was started a few days ago.

"The plan for the future will see a special general meeting held early next year, and a reconstituted party, with a new nationwide structure, continue in preparation for 2023," Ross said.

On election night, Advance NZ got 20,841 party votes, or 0.9% of the preliminary vote, well short of the 5% threshold for seats in Parliament.

Advance NZ grew a large social media following off the back of conspiracy theories and opposition to Covid-19 lockdowns.

Comments

I'm sure there won't be many tears shed over that decision and there'll probably be many people waiting for the entire party to fold, given its "policies"...

This has improved advancenz chances at the next election immeasurably. now if they can only get rid of Ross they'll be a real shoe in.

Perfectly reasonable sounding young kiwis who disappear into an offshore derived mantra of QAnon fantasy.

Rothschild.