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Music

Anthems for a Not So Shit Tomorrow: A Soundtrack To New Zealand's Election

We match the hits with the handshakers.

Dirty allegations, Eminem's publishing company suing the New Zealand National Party for copyright infringement, and Edward Snowden and Julian Assange appearing via secure videolink alongside a real life Glen Greenwald at Kim Dotcom's Moment of Truth event. The race towards New Zealand's 2014 General Election has been mind-bending. In aid of providing some irreverent light relief, we matched the main political parties up with well-known New Zealand songs. Even Winston Peters needs a tune to hum or rap along to.

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Act New Zealand

Supergroove - "Can't Get Enough" (1993)

A former philosophy lecturer and huge funk fan, Act New Zealand's leader Jamie Whyte used to go clubbing in London and once played in a jazz-fusion band that never quite developed an audience. What better song to represent Act under his leadership than Supergroove's funk rock single. “Can't get enough, can't get enough!”

Conservative Party of New Zealand

K'Lee - "1+1+1" (It Ain't Two) (2001)

A few years ago the Conservative Party of New Zealand's wacky-yet-traditional leader Colin Craig made headlines when he described our young men and women as "the most promiscuous in the world". Given this, he'd have to approve of Auckland R&B singer K'Lee's hit. Monogamous commitment on the pop stage is what the Conservative Party is all about right?

Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

Shapeshifter – "Bring Change" (2006)

Amongst other topics the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand has long been concerned with; environmentalism, human rights and the cessation of war. New Zealand live jungle/drum and bass band Shapeshifter's fan favourite “Bring Change” captures these sentiments perfectly, wrapping them up in music as crisp and beautiful as our outdoor landscape. It would be an ideal rallying call for the Greens. “You got to, we got to. You got to help us bring change!”

New Zealand Labour Party

The Black Seeds – Keep On Pushing (2001)

Ever since The Right Honourable Helen Clark (ONZ SSI) resigned from Parliament in 2009, The New Zealand Labour Party has been having a tough old time. While former leader David Shearer and current leader David Cunliffe haven't connected with the public like their supporters would like them to, they never say die. The Black Seeds reggae-funk summer anthem is the song for them. You've got to keep on pushing!

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New Zealand National Party

Fred Dagg - We don't know how lucky we are (1998)

New Zealand satirist John Clarke's Fred Dagg character is the archetypal Kiwi bloke. Funny and down to earth, he's slightly cringe-worthy, but dependable in a pinch. While he's exceeding good at broing down in a Fred Dagg style, New Zealand National Party leader John Key is also a former foreign exchange trader worth an estimated $50 million. But is the country as lucky as he keeps claiming?

Māori Party

Upper Hutt Posse – E Tu (1988)

Since 2004 the Māori Party has stood proudly for the upholding of indigenous values and compulsory heritage studies within an increasingly global world. Local rap group Upper Hutt Posse expressed similiar philosophies through “E Tu”, New Zealand's original hip-hop single. The Māori Party and Upper Hutt Posse are both pioneers in their own way, using 'E Tu' as their election song just makes sense. E Tu, stand proud.

Internet MANA

OMC – How Bizarre (1996)

The Internet Party, a rag-tag renegade alliance founded by Kim Dotcom, a cartoonish German hacker with a gigantic footprint teams up with the MANA Movement, a left-wing party committed to Tino Rangatiratanga (absolute sovereignty), socialism and indigenous rights. How bizarre? Auckland pop act OMC's hit perfectly captures everything that's happened in the wake of this unexpected alliance.

New Zealand First
Dei Hamo - We Gon Ride (2004)

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While his views on immigration can sound positively draconian, there is something genuinely entertaining about New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. During interviews and while speaking in the house, he brings a tangible sense of theatre and drama to New Zealand politics. Mangere rapper Dei Hamo's hit is the song for Winston. It's confident, funny and provocative, just like the man himself.

United Future New Zealand
Daniel Bedingfield – Gotta Get Through This (2001)

United Future New Zealand leader Peter Dunne doesn't like to rock the boat, but rock the boat he does. During the last two terms United Future has acted as a support party for National, along the way providing the vote that passed the GCSB amendment bill. In that time Dunne has weathered media scandals, an unfortunate lapse in the registration of his party, and been repeatedly mocked about his hairstyle. UK based kiwi singer Daniel Bedingfield's “Gotta Get Through This” is a fitting rally cry for United Future.