Freedom (NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party) has announced Alistair Wait as its Northland electorate and list candidate. A researcher and teacher of constitutional history, common law, equity and tikanga Māori, Wait says his decision to enter electoral politics reflects an opportunity to campaign for direct democracy, meaningful constitutional change and greater political authority for New Zealanders.
21st August, 2026.
Freedom (NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party) Announces Alistair Wait as Northland Candidate
The Freedom Party (NZ Outdoors & Freedom Party) is proud to announce the candidacy of Alistair Wait for the Northland electorate & as a list candidate.
Alistair Wait brings a wealth of experience to the campaign, having spent many years researching and teaching constitutional history, common law, equity, and tikanga Māori. His work has focused heavily on the constitutional foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand and the complex relationship between the people and the State.
Throughout his career, Alistair has worked closely with individuals, whānau, and communities as they navigate the challenges of courts, trusts, land ownership, governance and nuanced questions of native sovereignty. He describes his approach as a “bridge walker”, an individual committed to moving between diverse legal, cultural, and political worlds to foster understanding and bring critical, often difficult, conversations into the public sphere.
Alistair was an outspoken advocate of “do not vote” during the last general election, reflecting a deep-seated dissatisfaction with a political system. His decision to stand with the Freedom Party in 2026 is rooted in a new perspective.
“What has changed is the opportunity to campaign openly for direct democracy and meaningful constitutional change,” says Wait.
Alistair holds the firm belief that representative government should not be synonymous with surrendering political power for three-year intervals. He has long advocated for the adoption of systems similar to Switzerland’s, where citizens hold the power to decide significant national & local questions through binding referenda.
For Alistair, this campaign represents more than just a move into electoral politics; it is a vital opportunity to elevate constitutional questions and community experience into decisions. “Political authority ultimately belongs to the people,” says Alistair.
About the Freedom Party
The Freedom Party (New Zealand Outdoors & Freedom Party) has been a registered party for 11 years and advocates for individual liberty, democratic reform, and the protection of New Zealand’s natural heritage. It recently took the Electoral Commission to the High Court to fight to simplify its name on the ballot to ‘Freedom’ and awaits the outcome of this case. Either way it will be the only political party on the ballot paper with the word ‘Freedom’ in its name www.freedom.kiwi
Media contact: Aly Cook contact@freedom.kiwi