Watch: Seymour speaks to media after announcing Nicole McKee as new deputy

Firearms campaigner Nicole McKee has been named new deputy leader of Act, at the party’s AGM and election year rally in Auckland today.

“The Act Caucus has placed its trust in me, and I am deeply grateful. Together, we are focused on locking Labour out so we can unlock New Zealand’s potential,” says McKee, who is associate justice minister.

She replaces outgoing deputy Brooke van Velden, who is retiring at the November 7 election.

David Seymour kicked off his rallying speech by attacking all other political parties, including his coalition partners.

The Act leader addressed party supporters at a high-energy, ticketed rally at Auckland’s waterfront.

He sung a familiar tune, detailing plans to crack down on beneficiaries, slash bureaucracy and government departments.

The speech started by attacking all political parties, promising to “lock Labour out” of government and pointing out the obvious – Act has never worked with Labour in any form.

“Hana Haka Party and Te Pāti Māori, worked with Labour,” Seymour said.

“We always said they stood for division, now they’ve divided themselves. In half. Three years, six MPs, and the best they could do for Māori is a haka on TikTok.”

“Then there’s Business Class Chlöe from the Greens, who work with Labour. They’ve done about as much for the environment as the Māori Party have for Māori.

“They’ve given up saving Pukekos so they can save Palestinians instead. When they’re not leading antisemitic chants, they’re flying business class paid for by corporate lobbyists.

“Then there’s Cynical Chris Hipkins and the Labour Party themselves.

“Every policy is a feel-good headline about something being ‘free,’ with no idea how they’ll pay for it. At this point, they’re up to $18 billion of unfunded promises.”

He predicted more Kiwis would leave for Australia if Labour were elected.

“That’s why our first mission must be to lock out Labour, but let’s keep going through the Parties.

“There’s Wily Winnie and New Zealand First. We all know they’ve worked with Labour, especially the Oil and Gas industry.

“That’s Labour and those who would work with Labour. Who’s left?

“Clever Chris and the National Party. Are they Labour Lite? Maybe. It turns out they can also run left or right.”

And then Seymour got to the party’s policy proposals.

All health and disability benefits would be independently issued by an MSD-approved pool of designated doctors, something that is optional right now, but Act would make compulsory.

The party also wants to introduce electronic money management for jobseeker recipients who remain on a benefit for more than four months.

The card would only allow spending on groceries, rent, childcare and other essentials, with alcohol, gambling, tobacco and cash withdrawals all banned.

The size of government is also in the party’s firing range.

“New Zealand has 78 ministerial portfolios, 28 ministers, and 43 departments. Norway has a similar population and runs with 20 ministers across 17 ministries,” Seymour said.

Under the proposal 43 departments would become 19 and 28 ministers cut to just 18.

Each department would report to only one minister.

And there’s a warning that Chief Executives could be removed for specified reasons like non-performance

Seymour said the plan won’t affect frontline services like nurses, teachers or police.

Addressing party faithful, McKee spoke of her upbringing with a solo mum and the life that led her to campaign for firearms reform.

“I am proud of both my Māori and my British ancestry. I do not need to choose between them, and I do not need a political party to tell me what my identity is supposed to mean. My whakapapa is mine. My views are mine. My vote is mine. My country is mine too.”

She singled out Te Pāti Māori, saying they claimed to speak for all Māori.

“They do not speak for me. They do not speak for every Māori parent who wants their children safe and well educated, every Māori business owner who wants less red tape and more opportunity, or every Māori victim of crime who wants consequences. The Treaty should not be used as a weapon to divide New Zealanders.”

Seymour described McKee as “straight-talking, principled and practical”.

Hundreds of Act party supporters chanted “Lock Labour out, lock Labour out, lock Labour out” as its rally started today.

A small group of pro-Palestinian protestors were outside the rally and could be heard from inside the venue. Security was heavy both inside and outside the event.

Party faithful were urged to chant to block out the sound of the protestors.

Act MP Laura McClure played MC for the rally.

She started by paying tribute to Act MP Mark Cameron, a rural advocate, who is retiring from parliament at the election, due to ill health.

Cameron wiped tears from his eyes as a video played of him speaking in Parliament and other MPs thanked him and sent him well wishes.

Thanks was also given to van Velden.

Katie Bradford is a Senior Correspondent at the Herald. She has been a broadcast journalist for over 20 years and was based in the press gallery for 10 years. She specialises in politics, business and Auckland issues.