Horan aims to overcome Nat majority to take Bay

Independent MP Brendan Horan won't be leaving Parliament without a fight. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Independent MP’s party to fight ‘broken’ system, but has yet to register in polls

Outnumbered and outgunned, former New Zealand First MP Brendan Horan won't be leaving Parliament without a fight.

The former TV weatherman was forced out of NZ First late last year following unproven allegations that he took money from his dying mother.

In the face of a toxic relationship with his former mentor Winston Peters, the list MP has clung to his place in Parliament, created his own anti-party party, the New Zealand Independent Coalition, and gathered the 500 paid-up members necessary to register it to fight this month's election.

He is standing in the Bay of Plenty electorate where he believes he can overcome the 17,000-vote majority departing National Government Health Minister Tony Ryall won the seat with last election.

His ambition is to return to Parliament and drag at least another MP with him by winning 2 or 3 per cent of the party vote.

The NZIC has yet to register in the polls.

It is also standing candidates in Tauranga, Waiariki and Clutha Southland and has six list-only candidates.

While he had to form a party as a vehicle to fight the election, his agenda is to fight against the party political system which he says is "broken".

"MPs are more concerned about climbing the ladder within their parties than servicing their electorates, we want to change that."

NZIC's MPs would have to vote according to the wishes of voters in their electorate rather than toeing the party line.

On the most significant bills, NZIC members would determine their constituents' wishes by ensuring all the relevant information was available on their websites and conducting a poll using mobile phone technology.

"The consequence of allowing people to have their say means we get democracy throughout the term rather than just every three years."

The NZIC goes into the election with three main policies.

The first is increasing pension payouts by imposing a financial transactions tax, zero fees for students, and the establishment of a "ministry of job creation".

If he doesn't return to Parliament later this month, Mr Horan says he will spend the next three years "building the party for 2017".

The minnows

Alliance Party: NZ's democratic socialist party battles on. Has one electorate candidate.
Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party: Wants to legalise marijuana in Canterbury. Standing in 10 electorates.
Ban 1080: Anti-poison party has candidates in five electorates.
The Civilian Party: Satirist Ben Uffindell's joke party is list only.
Focus NZ: Has candidates in Northland and Whangarei.
Democrats for Social Credit: Monetary reform party has candidates in 30 seats.