It is not widely appreciated that Winston Peters played a critical role in bringing electoral reform into the political mainstream.

It was his championing of the Royal Commission on Electoral Reform report of 1986 that directly led to the National Party making its 1990 campaign promise to let New Zealanders decide.

And New Zealanders did decide, by referenda in 1992 and 1993, to adopt the MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) system over the existing FPP (First Past the Post) system.

This was despite both National and Labour actively campaigning against reform and even adding 20 extra list MPs in an attempt to reduce its attraction.

The Royal Commission also noted that the Māori electorate seats would no longer be required under MMP, as all parties would ensure Māori representation within their parliamentary teams.

Winston's arguments in the late 1980s still resonate today. MMP lead to a fairer electoral system, produced a more representative Parliament, and generally stopped a single governing party from imposing radical policies without a popular mandate.

The National Party has never genuinely accepted the popular will. Former Prime Minister John Key tested the electorate again in 2011 by asking whether New Zealanders wanted to keep MMP. Again, New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted "yes".

Now that party's distrust of the electoral system and the popular will has surfaced again, with National leader Christopher Luxon dismissing the coalition-building that underpins MMP. He wants a Cabinet solely composed of National MPs.

New Zealand First has always championed direct democracy on constitutional issues. We believe inherently in the right of New Zealanders to determine the best electoral system. Not political parties. Not lobby groups. Ordinary Kiwis.

For that reason, we believe a nationwide referendum on the Māori seats is long overdue.

But we detect absolutely no public appetite to change an electoral system that has now been endorsed by New Zealanders three separate times.

If MMP requires parties and politicians to co-operate more collaboratively before implementing policy or legislation, then that is no bad thing. It provides oversight, tests assumptions, and ultimately leads to better government.

New Zealand First has played a crucial role not only in creating our MMP electoral system, but in proving that it can and does work. We will continue to put a genuinely democratic electoral system at the forefront of our political deliberations.

But we can't do it without your support.

Unlike the larger parties, New Zealand First doesn't rely on corporate interests or union war chests. We rely on thousands of ordinary New Zealanders who believe our democracy is worth defending.

If you believe in protecting the democratic choices New Zealanders have already made and in ensuring your voice continues to be heard please consider making a donation today.

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Every contribution helps us continue taking our message directly to New Zealanders and standing up for the democratic principles that Winston Peters has fought for throughout his political career.

Thank you for standing with New Zealand First.

Michael Laws
Candidate for Waitaki
New Zealand First