What is the MMP overhang?

27 Oct 2026

Politics

Now You Know, season two, episode 73

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What if your party wins more electorates than its share of the party vote? New Zealand says let 'em all in!

In New Zealand, political parties usually get roughly the same share of seats in parliament as their share of the party vote. We achieve that proportionality by letting in all the people who won their electorate, and then topping up each party with extra MPs from the party lists.

But what if your party wins more electorates than its share of the party vote? What happens, for example, if your party is eligible for 10 seats based on its share of the party vote, but wins 20 electorates? Should your party get 10 seats in parliament or 20?

In the German MMP system, you get 10. In New Zealand, you get 20.

We would let that party have all 20 seats and then add 10 extra seats to parliament. When we have extra seats in parliament to accommodate those electorate MPs, that is called an overhang.

Currently, New Zealand has an overhang of three seats. After the next election, it could be more.

Directed, filmed and edited by Isaiah Tour.
Written and presented by Robbie Nicol.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.

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