Internet Party (New Zealand)

The Internet Party was a political party in New Zealand founded in early 2014 by internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom. Its core policies focused on technology, digital rights, and internet freedom, advocating for faster and more affordable internet access, protection of online privacy, and reform of copyright laws. The party aimed to attract younger voters and those concerned about digital issues often overlooked by mainstream political parties.

The Internet Party contested the 2014 and 2017 general elections. In 2014, it formed an alliance with the Mana Movement, a party led by Hone Harawira, under the name Internet Mana. Despite the alliance and significant campaign spending, the party failed to win any seats in Parliament, with Hone Harawira losing his seat and the Internet Party failing to reach the 5% threshold or win an electorate seat, which were requirements for representation under New Zealand's mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system.

In the 2017 general election, the Internet Party contested the election independently but again failed to win any seats or reach the 5% threshold. The party did not contest the 2020 general election and was deregistered in 2018. Key figures within the party, besides Kim Dotcom, included Laila Harré, who served as the party's leader during the 2014 election campaign after the Internet Mana alliance was formed. The party's short lifespan was marked by controversy, stemming in part from Dotcom's ongoing legal battles related to alleged copyright infringement.