Advance New Zealand (1995)

Advance New Zealand was a political party in New Zealand, formed in 1995 by Christine Fletcher and Ross Meurant, both former National Party Members of Parliament. The party was largely considered a socially conservative and economically liberal party. Its core policies focused on reducing government intervention in the economy, promoting individual responsibility, and strengthening law and order.

Advance New Zealand contested the 1996 general election, the first election held under the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system in New Zealand. The party failed to win any parliamentary seats, with its party vote falling below the 5% threshold required to enter Parliament without winning an electorate seat. Christine Fletcher, standing in a traditionally National electorate, remained in Parliament as an independent. Ross Meurant also failed to win a seat.

Following the 1996 election, Advance New Zealand struggled to maintain relevance. The party eventually dissolved, with many of its members and supporters returning to the National Party or joining other center-right political movements. While short-lived, Advance New Zealand represented a particular strain of conservative thought within New Zealand politics during the mid-1990s.