Qiulae Wong brushes off ‘Trojan Horse’ theory as Opportunity Party pushes beyond left-right politics

Video: Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong said being labelled a 'Trojan horse' by both the political left and right showed the party was doing something right as it positions itself as a potential kingmaker at the 2026 election. (The Bradbury Group on Waatea News)

Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong says being accused by both the political left and right blocs of acting as a ‘Trojan Horse’ is a sign the party is doing something right.

Speaking on The Bradbury Group’s flagship political show hosted by Waatea News, Wong was challenged over commentary coming from across the political spectrum as Opportunity positions itself as a potential kingmaker at the 2026 general election.

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Host Martin Bradbury pointed to National ruling the party out, while ACT and New Zealand First have criticised Opportunity for being too socialist. The party has been accused of being a neoliberal Trojan Horse.

Image: Qiulae Wong brushed aside claims Opportunity was a political 'Trojan horse' saying criticism from both sides showed the party was on the right track as it climbed to 9.5 percent in the latest Roy Morgan poll. (The Bradbury Group)

Wong dismissed both characterisations.

“I think if both sides are calling us a Trojan Horse for the other, we’re doing the right thing,” Wong said.

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“We’re just going to keep on going.”

The accusations came as Opportunity continues to rise in the polls, with Bradbury congratulating Wong during the interview after the party reached 9.5 percent in the latest Roy Morgan poll.

Image: Following a Q+A interview that drew mixed reactions, Qiulae Wong said Opportunity was moving to change rules allowing its board to override elected MPs, describing the provision as impractical while stressing the party was prepared to evolve as its membership and political influence grew. (Q+A with Jack Tame / TVNZ)

Wong also addressed criticism following her recent Q+A interview and questions over the balance of power between Opportunity’s party board and any future parliamentary caucus. She said a constitutional provision allowing the board to override elected MPs was impractical and an oversight, with the party moving to change the rule.

Opportunity was prepared to change as its membership and political influence grew, rather than allow ego to stand in the way of correcting problems.

“You can’t have the board overriding elected members of Parliament,” Wong said.

“We listened to the evidence. We are changing it accordingly.”

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Asked about the biggest challenges facing New Zealand over the next three years, Wong said they could effectively be reduced to one major issue that the country was caught between two different economic models.

Despite hostility from parties on the right, Opportunity would keep its ‘door open’ as parts of its platform could appeal across traditional political lines, including economic growth, innovation and helping working people get ahead.

Image: Qiulae Wong is trying to turn Opportunity Party's surge into seats in Parliament, with the party well over the five percent MMP threshold. Election day is set for Saturday, 7 November 2026. (Supplied / Opportunity Party)

Wong pushed for greater long-term certainty in health, education and infrastructure, saying constant policy changes between governments were creating instability for workers and slowing the country down. She thinks health policy required commitments stretching well beyond a three-year parliamentary term, including workforce training, funding and addressing health problems affecting populations that had consistently been neglected.

“Those things don’t happen in a three-year parliamentary term. They take a decade or more of investment,” Wong said.

On the public service, teachers in particular were exhausted by repeated curriculum changes, growing workloads and inadequate support. Opportunity would push for greater consistency while ensuring frontline workers were properly rewarded and given the resources needed to do their jobs.

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With Opportunity now polling strongly enough to potentially hold the balance of power after the November election, Wong’s challenge will be convincing voters that a party being attacked from both sides of the political divide can also negotiate with them once the votes are counted.

*Sponsored video brought to you by Waatea Digital, home of The Bradbury Group on Waatea News.

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