Opportunity MP-elect clarifies NZ First ties amid questions over lobbying past

Summarised by Centrist

Incoming Opportunity Party MP Jodie Kuntzsch has confirmed she pursued becoming a NZ First candidate and participated in party strategy discussions, after initially refusing to clarify her political past.

Kuntzsch told the NZ Herald on November 9 that she became a paid-up NZ First member in 2016, joined its Wellington local committee and went through the party's candidate college ahead of the 2017 election.

She also attended NZ First's annual general meeting and held discussions with party MPs and officials, who encouraged her political involvement.

The admissions follow repeated questions from the Herald about her former political allegiances.

Before the election, Kuntzsch declined to confirm or deny rumours about her NZ First involvement, responding to one question about membership: "Does it, does it matter to you if I was?"

She again declined to discuss the matter when questioned at Opportunity's first post-election press conference on Monday, before subsequently providing details to the Herald.

Kuntzsch said NZ First's emphasis on regional development and natural resources initially attracted her, particularly given her background in the seafood industry.

However, she ultimately decided against standing for Parliament in 2017, saying she did not fully share the party's values and priorities. Her membership subsequently lapsed, and she described herself as politically homeless until becoming interested in Opportunity.

The revelation is notable because Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong has described NZ First as the party with which Opportunity has the least in common.

Kuntzsch's political history has emerged alongside questions about her previous professional work lobbying for commercial fishing interests, including major bottom-trawling operators.

Opportunity has made phasing out bottom trawling and regulating political lobbying two of its five non-negotiable conditions for supporting a government.

The party says it was aware of Kuntzsch's professional background, which includes more than 20 years in the seafood and aquaculture sectors.

Kuntzsch is sixth on Opportunity's party list and is among seven MPs provisionally elected to Parliament.

Read more at The NZ Herald

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