Veteran broadcaster Paul Henry has officially entered New Zealand politics, announcing his candidacy for the ACT Party ahead of the November 7 general election.
According to Stuff, Henry used the occasion to voice sharp criticism of the National Party, describing himself as "enormously disappointed" with its direction and arguing that ACT has become an essential force in holding National accountable.
Henry's announcement prompted an early response from Cameron Brewer, one of National's newest ministers and the first National MP to publicly comment on the move. According to Stuff, Brewer said he was confident National's candidates would outperform Henry during the election campaign.
"I've known Paul in a past life, and I wish him all the best," Brewer said.
"Hopefully Paul can enjoy the process, and I look forward to him being in debates with National Party people."
According to Stuff, Henry was introduced as ACT's newest candidate at a rooftop bar in central Auckland on Tuesday. During the announcement, he was asked why he had chosen ACT over National and what he thought of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's leadership.
Responding candidly, Henry said:
"The nature of being a centrist party, centre-right centrist party, is you have to be a little bit populist."
Explaining why he no longer supported National, Henry added:
"What happens if you run a party that wants everyone to vote for them, is you end up doing nothing."
He continued by outlining why he believes ACT plays a crucial role in New Zealand politics.
"This is probably why the single reason why ACT is so important, because someone needs to hold National to account."
According to Stuff, Henry said he had gradually shifted his political support from National to ACT several years ago.
When asked when that change occurred, he replied:
"You know it was probably after John Key, it was probably after John Key, but during Covid that was when the nasty rubber hit the road."
ACT leader David Seymour welcomed Henry's decision, describing him as a valuable addition to the party. According to Stuff, Seymour praised Henry not only for his communication skills but also for his passion for New Zealand.
"We all know him as Mr Bombastic, but I've got to know a very thoughtful and deeply passionate New Zealander in Paul Henry," Seymour said.
"He doesn't just communicate ideas; he infects rooms with enthusiasm."
According to Stuff, Henry also confirmed that he had resigned from the TVNZ board shortly before publicly announcing his candidacy.
"I signed the documents about a minute before I phoned the chairman of TVNZ about 20 minutes ago," he said.
Addressing reporters, Henry acknowledged that many New Zealanders would be wondering why he had chosen to enter politics at this stage of his life.
He said:
"Standing before you is an uncommonly handsome older gentleman who clearly doesn't need a new career, so why would I do this?"
According to Stuff, Henry explained that his decision was driven largely by concerns for the future of his grandchildren and the opportunities they will inherit.
He continued:
"Put simply, my wife and I have 10 grandchildren between us. ... And as I looked at them, as someone who cares very much about this country and has always been interested in politics, I thought, what is the chance that as you grow a little older, you will have the same opportunities that your grandfather had when he was growing up in paradise?"
Henry also warned against the prospect of a Labour-led government returning to power after the election.
"Let me tell you: if they do that, it will be a complete disaster. Not because Labour is always a complete disaster, which they are, but because this is a particularly vital election."
He argued that while New Zealand had begun moving in the right direction over the past three years, significantly more progress was needed.
"In the last three years, the country has been nudged in the right direction, but only nudged. It needs a huge lurch in the right direction."
According to Stuff, Henry said prosperity could not be achieved through excessive borrowing or taxation, nor through what he described as separatism and internal political conflict, which he believes would result from a left-leaning coalition.
Henry was also asked about the possibility of ACT governing alongside New Zealand First following the election. According to Stuff, he dismissed concerns about coalition instability, suggesting that any future arrangement would differ from the current governing relationship.
Reflecting on his familiarity with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, Henry joked:
"I used to host Traitors so I know a little bit more about Winston and New Zealand First than anyone else."
He added that a stronger ACT caucus would provide the party with greater influence in coalition negotiations.
"I think it will be a lot better if ACT goes in with more members of Parliament because it will have more say. And you know, I look at some of the policies that New Zealand First sprinkles - sugar hits basically - and they're not all bad. I mean, there are some that they sprinkle out there, and you think, oh yeah, that makes sense. Maybe we'll do it."
According to Stuff, Henry also admitted he would welcome the opportunity to serve as a minister if ACT became part of the next government.
"If I'm painfully honest, yes, I want to be a minister. Why do I want to be a minister? As I said before, I'm 65 years old. I'm not doing this to waste my time or anyone else's."
He continued:
"So yes, I want to be a minister because I want the opportunity to make as much of a difference personally as I can."
Although he declined to identify a preferred ministerial portfolio, Henry acknowledged that any future responsibilities would depend on post-election negotiations.
According to Stuff, Henry also used his first campaign press conference to propose the creation of a new world-class cancer hospital in New Zealand.
He said:
"One of the things I'd love to do is build a cancer hospital here, a world-class cancer hospital."
Henry suggested the project could cost several billion dollars but believed private donors and government borrowing could help fund it.
"It'll cost multiple billions of dollars. But I think you could easily get a group of wealthy New Zealanders to stump up with about 10 billion easily. The rest of it, we would borrow, but that would be an investment in New Zealand's future."
According to Stuff, Henry envisioned a facility that would attract patients from around the world. However, when asked for further details about the proposal, he admitted the concept remained at an early stage.
"You know me, I'm a big picture man. I haven't the worked on the detail."
ACT leader David Seymour was also asked about the proposal. According to Stuff, Seymour said Henry had correctly identified serious challenges facing New Zealand's health infrastructure, adding that ACT has consistently advocated for increased investment in cancer care while recognising the broader pressures on the country's healthcare system.