View source for United Future

{{Short description|New Zealand political party}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox political party
| name             = United Future New Zealand
| native_name      = Te Rōpū Unaititi Heke Mai
| logo             = Unitedfuture.png
| logo_size        = 225
| colorcode        = {{party color|United Future}}
| leader           = <!--Party is dissolved. Last leader was Damian Light--> [[Peter Dunne]] <br> (2000–2017)<br/> [[Damian Light]] <br> (2017)<br>
| founder          = [[Peter Dunne]]
| founded          = 2000<ref name="Bolleyer">{{cite book|last1=Bolleyer|first1=Nicole|title=New Parties in Old Party Systems: Persistence and Decline in Seventeen Democracies|date=2013|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|isbn=9780191611582|page=118|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lzBoAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA118|language=en|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-date=14 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514165530/https://books.google.com/books?id=lzBoAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA118|url-status=live}}</ref>
| dissolution      = 14 November, 2017
| merger           = [[United New Zealand]],<br>[[Future New Zealand]]<ref name="Bolleyer"/>
| ideology         = {{nowrap|[[Liberal conservatism]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Implementing Sustainability: The New Zealand Experience|first=Caroline|last=Miller|page=10|publisher=Routledge|year=2010}}</ref><br> [[Christian democracy]]<ref name="Rudd">{{cite book|last1=Rudd|first1=Chris|title=Sovereignty under Siege?: Globalization and New Zealand|date=2017|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781351898904|page=130|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rAokDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT130|language=en|access-date=27 September 2020|archive-date=14 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514165530/https://books.google.com/books?id=rAokDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT130|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| position         = [[Centrism|Centre]]<ref name="Rudd"/>
}}

'''United Future New Zealand''',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/UnitedFuture_Constitution.pdf |title=Constitution of United Future New Zealand |access-date=8 June 2013 |quote=The name of the party shall be United Future New Zealand |archive-date=6 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006075522/http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/UnitedFuture_Constitution.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> usually known as '''United Future''', was a [[Centrism|centrist]] [[List of political parties in New Zealand|political party in New Zealand]]. The party was in government between 2005 and 2017, first alongside [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] (2005–2008) and then supporting [[New Zealand National Party|National]] (2008–2017).

United Future was formed from the merger of the liberal party [[United New Zealand]] and Christian-dominated conservative [[Future New Zealand]] to contest the [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002 election]]. It was represented in the [[New Zealand Parliament]] from its foundation until September 2017. The party won eight seats in 2002; however it was reduced to three [[Members of Parliament]] in [[2005 New Zealand general election|2005]]. Between [[2008 New Zealand general election|2008]] and [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017]], United Future was solely represented in Parliament by party leader [[Peter Dunne]], who represented the [[Ōhāriu (New Zealand electorate)|Ōhāriu electorate]] in [[Wellington]]. Dunne was re-elected during both the [[2011 New Zealand general election|2011]] and [[2014 New Zealand general election|2014 general election]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/mpp/parties/ |title=New Zealand Parliament - Parliamentary parties |access-date=2013-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061012123234/http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/Parties/ |archive-date=12 October 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/mpp/mps/current/ |title=Members of Parliament - New Zealand Parliament |website=Parliament.nz |access-date=2017-04-10 |archive-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007015457/http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/mpp/mps/current |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2017, Dunne announced his retirement from politics prior to the [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017 general election]]. [[Damian Light]] was appointed as the new leader on 23 August.<ref name="leader">{{cite web|title=UnitedFuture appoints Damian Light as new leader|url=http://unitedfuture.org.nz/unitedfuture-appoints-damian-light-as-new-leader/|publisher=United Future New Zealand|access-date=23 August 2017|language=en|date=24 August 2017|archive-date=21 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021034200/http://unitedfuture.org.nz/unitedfuture-appoints-damian-light-as-new-leader/|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2017 general election, United Future lost its sole seat in Parliament and attained only 0.1% of the party vote.<ref name="2017 general election">{{cite web|title=2017 General Election - Official Result|url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|New Zealand Electoral Commission]]|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120051/http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2017/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2017, a leaked email announced that United Future would move to dissolve after a unanimous decision by the party board to do so. On 14 November an announcement was made on the party's website signalling that the party had officially been dissolved.<ref name="Dissolution statement">
{{cite web|title=UnitedFuture proud of {{sic|it’s|nolink=y|expected=its}} history, but all good things must end
|url=http://unitedfuture.org.nz/unitedfuture-proud-of-its-history-but-all-good-things-must-end/
|publisher=United Future
|access-date=14 November 2017
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114040544/http://unitedfuture.org.nz/unitedfuture-proud-of-its-history-but-all-good-things-must-end/
|archive-date=14 November 2017}}
</ref><ref name="Newstalk ZB dissolution">{{cite web|url=http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/dunne-and-dusted-united-future-to-disband/|title=Dunne and Dusted: Leaked email suggests United Future to disband|website=newtalkzb.co.nz|publisher=[[Newstalk ZB]]|date=13 November 2017|access-date=13 November 2017|archive-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113222430/http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/dunne-and-dusted-united-future-to-disband/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NZ Herald dissolution">{{cite news|last1=Cheng|first1=Derek|title=Peter Dunne: United Future's decision to disband the right call given it is no longer in Parliament|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11943986|access-date=14 November 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|date=14 November 2017|archive-date=14 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114061735/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11943986|url-status=live}}</ref> The party was formally de-registered on 28 February 2018.<ref name=":0" />

==History==
[[File:Christian Politics NZ.svg|thumb|upright=1.7|Graphic representation of changes to Christian political parties in New Zealand, showing coalitions, mergers, splits and renamings]]

===Formation and early success===
United Future was formed from the merger of liberal centrist party [[United New Zealand]] and Christian-dominated conservative [[Future New Zealand]] to contest the [[2002 New Zealand general election|2002 election]]. United, formed as a centrist party by a group of moderate Labour and National MPs, held one seat in parliament—that of Dunne. Future New Zealand, which was not represented in parliament, was a "secularised" evolution of the [[New Zealand Christian Democratic Party|Christian Democrats]], following the same basic principles as the Christian Democrats, but abandoning the explicit religious connection.<ref name="tunnah">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3532099 |title=Art of compromise at coalition party conference |author=Helen Tunnah |date=3 November 2004 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=5 July 2014 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714213745/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=3532099 |url-status=live }}</ref>

United Future's first party president, [[Ian Tulloch]], stated that "United Future isn't a Christian party – it's a political party that has a lot of Christians in it, and a lot of non-Christians."<ref name="tunnah"/> Tulloch said that the "universal principles of family, of common sense, of looking after one another, of compassion, integrity" are equally valuable to both Christians and non-Christians.<ref name="tunnah"/>

Support for United Future, which was already growing in early 2002, was boosted further by Peter Dunne's strong television debating performance and the public response to it. The uplift in United Future support during the last two weeks of the campaign caught many commentators by surprise and drew votes away from National, [[New Zealand Labour Party|Labour]] and the [[Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand|Green]] parties, who were engaged in a public squabble over genetic engineering.

United Future made a strong showing in the 2002 election, taking 6.7 percent of the vote and eight seats: Dunne's electorate seat of [[Ohariu-Belmont]] and seven list seats.<ref name="2002 election">{{cite web |title=Official Count Results – Overall Status |url=http://www.electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2002/partystatus.html |publisher=Electoral Commission |access-date=7 August 2013 |archive-date=8 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208054119/http://electionresults.govt.nz/electionresults_2002/partystatus.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It would have been assured of getting into parliament in any event, however; under New Zealand's [[mixed-member proportional representation|mixed-member proportional]] system, any party that wins at least one electorate seat qualifies for list seats even if it falls short of the five-percent threshold.  The party faced a minor embarrassment after the election, however, when it was discovered that one of its list MPs, [[Kelly Chal]], was not a New Zealand citizen, and thus ineligible to stand for parliament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/423466/125116 |title=No police probe into Chal error |date=19 August 2002 |work=[[Television New Zealand]] |access-date=8 October 2011 |archive-date=20 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920132736/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/423466/125116 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Early activity===
After 2002 United Future in its family law reform proposals took to heart the trauma and adverse impact on children caused by the separation of their parents. United Future MP [[Judy Turner]] made clear that then current government policies were failing in regard to keeping both parents in children's lives, and to this extent made a huge effort in promoting a [[Private member's bill#New Zealand|member's bill]] on mandatory [[mediation]] by means of a national roll-out of the North Shore Family Court "Children in the Middle" pilot programme.

In December 2004, United Future MPs exercised their individual conscience votes to oppose a bill to enable [[Civil unions in New Zealand|civil unions]]. This bill, which passed Parliament by a vote of 65 to 55, provided some marriage-like benefits for same-sex couples (who could not marry in New Zealand until August 2013) and for opposite-sex couples who choose not to marry. However, Peter Dunne alone<ref>{{cite web|title=Relationships (Statutory References) Act|url=http://votes.wotfun.com/bill/8|website=Parliamentary Conscience Votes Database|access-date=27 September 2017|archive-date=28 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428053714/http://votes.wotfun.com/bill/8|url-status=dead}}</ref> among United Future MPs voted for the subsequent Relationships (Statutory References) Bill in March 2005, which passed by 76 to 44 votes and removed discriminatory wording from a range of statutes.

In mid-2004 United Future announced that it would contest the 2005 general election in partnership with [[Outdoor Recreation New Zealand]]. Cynics pointed out that, like Future New Zealand, Outdoor Recreation was a minor party with no prospect of reaching the 5% threshold (Outdoor Recreation gained 1.28% of the vote in the 2002 election) seeking parliamentary representation via the security of Peter Dunne's electorate seat.

A month before the September [[2005 New Zealand general election|2005 election]], list MP [[Paul Adams (New Zealand politician)|Paul Adams]] quit the party to stand as an independent in the East Coast Bays electorate. His daughter Sharee Adams, also on the United Future List, also quit to assist her father in his campaign. After the general election, disgruntled right-winger and ex-United Future MP [[Marc Alexander]] also voiced repeated criticisms of his former colleagues, in his "Marc My Words" political opinion column for [[Scoop (news website)|''Scoop'']], a New Zealand news website.

In the 2005 election, United Future had the support of the [[WIN Party]], which was set up to fight the ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. WIN's leader, John van Buren, was United Future's candidate for Christchurch Central. This further spoke of alliances still to come. In this election, support plummeted to 2.8% and the party won only three seats. Peter Dunne retained Ohariu-Belmont, and [[Gordon Copeland]] and Judy Turner were returned on its party list.

United Future had tried to distance itself from its more assertive fundamentalist list MPs, such as Adams, [[Larry Baldock]] and [[Murray Smith (New Zealand politician)|Murray Smith]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} As Election New Zealand data revealed that the Outdoor Recreation Party still provided about 1% of the vote, 4.8% of the previous vote had gone elsewhere. During 2004–2005, the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] had made renewed efforts to attract social conservative voters, through adoption of [[anti-abortion]] and anti-[[same-sex marriage]] voting records.{{Citation needed|date=July 2011}}

Following the 2005 election, [[New Zealand First]] and United Future entered into a [[confidence and supply]] agreement with Labour, under which Dunne became Minister of Revenue, outside Cabinet.

In March 2006 [[Outdoor Recreation New Zealand]] split with United Future, due to a dissatisfaction with what it saw as the [[Christian evangelism]] within the party. Outdoor Recreation acting chairman Phil Hoare said, "We strongly believe in the traditional bedrock values of our nation's heritage but we also affirm the separation of church and state."<ref name="NZ_Herald_10374646">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10374646 |title=Outdoor Recreation splits from United Future |date=27 March 2006 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-date=14 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514165532/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10374646 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006 several younger centrist members also departed from the party.

United Future, like most New Zealand Parliamentary parties, was caught up in the [[2005 New Zealand election funding controversy]]. It voted in favour of the retrospective validating legislation, which was passed through the New Zealand Parliament in October 2006.
[[File:UnitedFutureNewZealandLogo.png|right|thumb|300px|Old United Future logo]]

From February to April 2007, Peter Dunne exercised his own right to a [[conscience vote]] to support [[Sue Bradford]]'s [[private members bill]] against parental corporal punishment of children, while Gordon Copeland vigorously opposed it, as did Judy Turner, but on a more subtle level.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/other8639.html |title=Stop violence against children - Repeal Section 59 now &#124; Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand |access-date=2015-02-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201153936/http://www.greens.org.nz/searchdocs/other8639.html |archive-date=1 December 2008}}</ref>

On 16 May 2007, Copeland resigned from the party due to his dissatisfaction with Dunne's support for the aforementioned private members bill, although Turner did not follow suit.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10440050">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10440050 |title=United Future MP quits party over smacking bill |author=Tait, Maggie |date=16 May 2007 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120440/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10440050 |url-status=live }}</ref> Copeland was subsequently part of forming the socially conservative [[The Kiwi Party|Kiwi Party]]. Several other United Future members resigned in sympathy with Copeland, including former United Future List MPs [[Larry Baldock]] and [[Bernie Ogilvy]]. In 2011, the Kiwi Party ceased to exist as an independent entity after it merged with the [[Conservative Party of New Zealand]], another conservative Christian dominated centre-right political party, currently unrepresented in Parliament.

On 13 August 2007 United Future unveiled a new logo which Dunne said was a revitalisation of the party before the 2008 election.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00207.htm |title=UnitedFuture unveils new logo &#124; Scoop News |website=Scoop.co.nz |date=2007-08-13 |access-date=2017-04-10 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035659/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00207.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The re-branding of the party was taken further on 3 September 2007 when Peter Dunne announced that United Future was becoming a moderate centrist party after the break with its former conservative Christian faction. Speaking of the departure of Copeland and the rest of the more strident Christians in the party, Dunne said, "I think it's taken a bit of a monkey off our back, frankly."<ref name="NZ_Herald_10461328">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10461328 |title=Dunne rebrands United Future after Christian faction split |date=3 September 2007 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930012944/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10461328 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2008 election===
In [[2008 New Zealand general election|2008]] the United Future Party named candidates for 51 seats.<ref>''Dominion Post''. 15 April 2008 page A2</ref> Policies included tax cuts and various initiatives aimed at supporting parents, such as the extension of paid parental leave to 12 months; the option of income splitting for tax purposes for parents with dependent children and couples in which one partner relies on the other for financial support; and the promotion of [[shared parenting]]. There were also a number of health care policies including granting everyone one free health check per year.

Peter Dunne was re-elected as United Future's only Member of Parliament. He retained his parliamentary seat of [[Ohariu-Belmont]], but United Future did not poll sufficiently highly to bring additional caucus members into Parliament. Some Future New Zealand members defected from United Future to establish [[The Kiwi Party]], which was unsuccessful in retaining parliamentary representation after the election.

The [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] won the most seats overall and formed a [[minority government]] with support from United Future, the [[Māori Party]] and [[ACT New Zealand]]. Dunne retained his portfolios as Minister of Revenue and Associate Minister for Health.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10543509">{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10543509 |title=Key's Government |date=17 November 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-date=23 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523074542/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10543509 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2011 election===
[[File:Peter Dunne (7174333572).jpg|thumb|upright|Then-leader [[Peter Dunne]] speaking in 2012]]
In [[2011 New Zealand general election|2011]] United Future campaigned on income splitting, flexible superannuation and restricting asset sales.<ref name="Press_23-11-11">{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/6015942/Economically-Right-socially-Left |title=Economically Right, socially Left |date=23 November 2011 |work=[[The Press]] |access-date=27 December 2011 |archive-date=27 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227051101/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/6015942/Economically-Right-socially-Left |url-status=live }}</ref>

Peter Dunne retained the electorate of [[Ōhariu (New Zealand electorate)|Ōhariu electorate]], formerly [[Ohariu-Belmont]].  The Labour candidate [[Charles Chauvel (politician)|Charles Chauvel]] accused Dunne and the [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] of an "unprincipled political deal" which encouraged National voters to give their electorate vote to Dunne to ensure his survival as an MP.<ref name="Dom_Post_22-08-11">{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/5482389/Key-gives-Dunne-clear-run-at-Ohariu |title=Key gives Dunne clear run at Ohariu |date=22 August 2011 |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)]] |access-date=27 December 2011 |archive-date=14 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220514165532/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/5482389/Key-gives-Dunne-clear-run-at-Ohariu |url-status=live }}</ref>

As in 2008, the National Party won the most seats overall and formed a minority government with support from United Future, the Māori Party and ACT New Zealand. Together with his previous Revenue and Associate Health portfolios, Dunne became Associate Minister of Conservation.  The agreement included provisions barring the sale of [[Kiwibank]] or [[Radio New Zealand]], and public consultation on United Future's flexible superannuation policy.<ref name="Dom_Post_5-12-11">{{cite web |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/6088106/Dunne-does-deal-to-fight-RNZ-sale |title=Dunne does deal to fight RNZ sale |date=5 December 2011 |work=[[The Dominion Post (Wellington)]] |access-date=27 December 2011 |archive-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207005104/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/6088106/Dunne-does-deal-to-fight-RNZ-sale |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Temporary party de-registration===
On 31 May 2013 the Electoral Commission cancelled United Future's registration at the party's request after it failed to retain 500 members.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/cancellation-united-future-31-may-2013 |title=Cancellation of United Future |publisher=New Zealand Electoral Commission |date=2013-05-31 |access-date=2013-05-31 |archive-date=13 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130913225330/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/cancellation-united-future-31-may-2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The party became an unregistered party – unable to contest the party-list vote. However, on 10 June 2013, its party president made a media release stating that it had succeeded in attracting the needed 500 members for re-registration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1306/S00179/unitedfuture-request-to-be-re-registered.htm |title=UnitedFuture request to be re-registered &#124; Scoop News |website=Scoop.co.nz |date=2013-06-12 |access-date=2017-04-10 |archive-date=16 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616012609/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1306/S00179/unitedfuture-request-to-be-re-registered.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> It was subsequently reported that United Future was encountering difficulties over its re-registration, related to the need to acquire printed proof of sufficient membership, although Party President Robin Gunston had supplied the Electoral Commission with copies of traceable economic transactions associated with the influx of new members.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/news/United-Future-applies-for-re-registration/tabid/1607/articleID/301116/Default.aspx |title=United Future applies for re-registration - Story - Politics - 3 News |access-date=2013-06-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004003/http://www.3news.co.nz/news/United-Future-applies-for-re-registration/tabid/1607/articleID/301116/Default.aspx |archive-date=3 December 2013}}</ref>

On 16 June 2013 the [[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|Electoral Commission]] noted that United Future had provided the aforementioned spreadsheet record, which contained names and details of putative party members. It noted that under Section 63 of the New Zealand Electoral Act 1993, ''bona fide'' registered political parties were bound to supply name, address, eligibility for membership, evidence of paid membership fees, member authorisation to record such details and to release them to a third party. The Commission stated that it would therefore accept signed and dated (although electronically submitted) membership forms from United Future and other eligible parties as evidence of membership enrolment. Signature and membership authenticity had yet to be assessed at that point<ref>{{cite web |url=http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1306/United_Future_Decision_19_06_13.pdf |title=Decision on United Future's request to amend Electoral Commission policy and procedures for Registration of Political Parties |website=Img.scoop.co.nz |access-date=2017-04-10 |archive-date=4 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204023514/http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1306/United_Future_Decision_19_06_13.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Events took a further turn when [[New Zealand Parliament]] Speaker [[David Carter (politician)|David Carter]] ruled that as United Future could not guarantee that his party had 500 financially solvent members for another six to eight weeks after Dunne had submitted a membership list to the New Zealand Electoral Commission, Dunne would therefore have to sit as an "independent" Member of Parliament, and to forfeit NZ$100,000 parliamentary party leader operational funding unless and until United Future could conclusively establish whether or not it had sufficient membership to warrant re-registration. This occurred after [[New Zealand Labour Party]] MP [[Trevor Mallard]] contacted the New Zealand Attorney-General over the current legal status of United Future<ref>{{cite web |author1=Vernon Small |author2=Hamish Rutherford |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8838701/Speaker-backed-in-Dunne-funding-row |title=Speaker strips Dunne of funding |website=Stuff.co.nz |date=2013-06-25 |access-date=2017-04-10 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203043919/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8838701/Speaker-backed-in-Dunne-funding-row |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 8 July 2013 Dunne stated that his party had now been able to enrol sufficient members to satisfy the Electoral Commission's random sampling techniques, although he also noted that the process of evaluation and re-enrolment would take six to eight weeks.<ref>{{cite web |author=Tracy Watkins |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8891096/UnitedFuture-passes-membership-goal |title=UnitedFuture passes membership goal |website=Stuff.co.nz |date=2013-07-08 |access-date=2017-04-10 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203042055/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8891096/UnitedFuture-passes-membership-goal |url-status=live }}</ref> At the same time, the New Zealand Electoral Commission verified that this was indeed the case and then clarified what would happen next. There would be an interim period when it checked the actual status of the party's membership, then provided public notice of United Future's membership application and invitation of comments, then provide the applicant party's leadership with an opportunity to respond to the comments and then decide whether to refuse or approve the application from United Future<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/party-registration-process-underway |title=Party registration process underway &#124; Electoral Commission |website=Elections.org.nz |date=2013-06-11 |access-date=2017-04-10 |archive-date=4 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204130625/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/party-registration-process-underway |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/registering-political-party 
 |title=Registering a Political Party &#124; Electoral Commission 
 |access-date=8 July 2013 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915051557/http://www.elections.org.nz/registering-political-party 
 |archive-date=15 September 2013 
}}</ref> On 30 July 2013, the New Zealand Electoral Commission requested input pending United Future's ultimate re-registration<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/application-register-political-party-1 |title=Application to register political party &#124; Electoral Commission |website=Elections.org.nz |date=2013-08-10 |access-date=2017-04-10 |archive-date=10 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810022713/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/application-register-political-party-1 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 13 August 2013 the electoral commission accepted United Future's re-registration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Dunnes-party-re-registered/tabid/1607/articleID/308772/Default.aspx |title=Dunne's party re-registered - Story - Politics - 3 News |access-date=2013-08-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018134709/http://www.3news.co.nz/Dunnes-party-re-registered/tabid/1607/articleID/308772/Default.aspx |archive-date=18 October 2013}}</ref>

===2014 election===
As in 2008 and 2011, the National Party won the most seats overall and formed a [[minority government]] with support from United Future's single MP (Dunne) and the Māori Party.

===2017 election===
During the [[2017 New Zealand general election|2017 general election]], United Future ran 8 electorate candidates and 10 list candidates.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Party and candidate lists for 2017 Election|url=http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/party-and-candidate-lists-2017-election|publisher=[[Electoral Commission (New Zealand)|New Zealand Electoral Commission]]|access-date=7 October 2017|archive-date=7 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120507/http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/party-and-candidate-lists-2017-election|url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 August 2017, leader and MP [[Peter Dunne]] announced that he was quitting politics at the election, citing recent polling and his perception that there was a mood for change in his seat of [[Ōhāriu (New Zealand electorate)|Ōhāriu]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11908155|access-date=21 August 2017|title=United Future leader and Ohariu MP Peter Dunne quits politics|date=21 August 2017|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|archive-date=21 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821084655/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11908155|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Damian Light]] was announced as the new leader on 23 August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://unitedfuture.org.nz/unitedfuture-appoints-damian-light-as-new-leader/ |title=UnitedFuture appoints Damian Light as new leader |access-date=23 August 2017 |archive-date=21 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021034200/http://unitedfuture.org.nz/unitedfuture-appoints-damian-light-as-new-leader/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During the 2017 election, United Future gained only 0.1% of the party vote and lost its sole seat in Parliament.<ref name="2017 general election" />

Following the election, a number of options were canvassed for United Future, including dissolving as a party, rebranding, or focusing its efforts on electing its members as independents to local councils.<ref name="Braae2017">{{cite news |last1=Braae |first1=Alex |title=Why did United Future die? Not enough Damian Lights |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/16-11-2017/why-did-united-future-die-not-enough-damian-lights |access-date=12 October 2025 |work=[[The Spinoff]] |date=16 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251012085542/https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/16-11-2017/why-did-united-future-die-not-enough-damian-lights |archive-date=12 October 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the party had a vanishingly small membership base, with Alex Braae of ''[[The Spinoff]]'' describing United Future as almost nonexistent beyond the executive level.<ref name="Braae2017" /> Many members had either only joined to prevent the party from being deregistered in 2013, or were hangers-on from various mergers and alliances forged by Peter Dunne, and thus were not actively involved in United Future.<ref name="Braae2017" /> On 13 November 2017, an email was sent to party members, stating that a decision had been made at the previous weekend's Annual General Meeting to disband United Future in light of poor electoral results and the unlikelihood of receiving enough votes to return to parliament in the future.<ref name="Dissolution statement" /> The AGM was attended by a small number of members, as well as most of United Future's governing board.<ref name="Braae2017" /> On 14 November, Light and Dunne confirmed that United Future would be dissolving due to the loss of its Parliamentary presence.<ref name="Newstalk ZB dissolution" /><ref name="NZ Herald dissolution" /> The party's registration was cancelled on 28 February 2018.<ref>{{cite web|date=28 February 2018|title=Amendments to the Register of Political Parties - 28 February 2018|url=https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2018/amendments-to-the-register-of-political-parties-28-february-2018/|url-status=live|access-date=1 March 2018|publisher=Electoral Commission|archive-date=31 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131070109/https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2018/amendments-to-the-register-of-political-parties-28-february-2018/}}</ref>

==Policy==
United Future adopted the following mission statement in early 2007:
:"United Future is a modern [[centrism|centre]] party, focused on New Zealand's best interests. We promote strong families and vibrant communities. We seek a fair, and open society, free from poverty, ignorance and prejudice, and based on innovation, self-reliance, justice and integrity in business and personal dealings. We promote a sustainable environment, and a competitive economy which encourages growth, prosperity, ownership and opportunity through market policies where possible, and government where necessary. We want all New Zealanders, whatever their background, race or creed, to have the chance to enjoy everything that is good in our country."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00207.htm|title=UnitedFuture unveils new logo|date=13 August 2007|access-date=2007-10-31|publisher=[[Scoop (news website)|Scoop.co.nz]]|archive-date=30 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035659/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00207.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>{{long quote|date=September 2023}}

==Electoral results (2002–2017)==

{| class=wikitable
|-
! Election
! candidates nominated (electorate/list)
! seats won
! party votes
! popular vote
! rowspan= | +/–
! rowspan= | Position
! Government/Opposition
|- style="text-align:center"
! {{NZ election link year|2002}}<ref name="2002 election" />
| 63 / 60
| {{Composition bar|8|120|hex={{party color|United Future}} }}
| 135,918
| 6.69%
| {{increase}} 8
| {{increase}} 6th
| rowspan=2 {{partial2|Confidence and supply}}
|- style="text-align:center"
! {{NZ election link year|2005}}
| 62 / 57
| {{Composition bar|3|121|hex={{party color|United Future}} }}
| 60,860
| 2.67%
|{{decrease}} 5
|{{steady}} 6th
|- style="text-align:center"
! {{NZ election link year|2008}}
| 51 / 30
| {{Composition bar|1|122|hex={{party color|United Future}} }}
| 20,497
| 0.87%
|{{decrease}} 2
|{{decrease}} 7th
|rowspan=3 {{partial2|Confidence and supply}}
|- style="text-align:center"
! {{NZ election link year|2011}}
| 20 / 17
| {{Composition bar|1|121|hex={{party color|United Future}} }}
| 13,443
| 0.60%
|{{steady}} 
|{{decrease}} 8th
|- style="text-align:center"
! {{NZ election link year|2014}}
| 11 / 11
| {{Composition bar|1|121|hex={{party color|United Future}} }}
| 4,533
| 0.22%
|{{steady}}
|{{increase}} 7th
|- style="text-align:center"
! {{NZ election link year|2017}}
| 8 / 10
| {{Composition bar|0|120|hex={{party color|United Future}} }}
| 1,782
| 0.07%
|{{decrease}} 1
|{{decrease}} 13th
| {{no|[[Sixth Labour Government of New Zealand|Extra-parliamentary]]}}
|}

==Former MPs==
* [[Paul Adams (New Zealand politician)|Paul Adams]], in [[2008 New Zealand general election|2008]], [[The Family Party|Family Party]] candidate for [[East Coast Bays (New Zealand electorate)|East Coast Bays]]
* [[Marc Alexander]], in 2008, [[New Zealand National Party|National Party]] candidate for [[Wigram (New Zealand electorate)|Wigram]]
* [[Larry Baldock]], in 2008, [[The Kiwi Party|Kiwi Party]] candidate for [[Tauranga (New Zealand electorate)|Tauranga]]
* [[Bernie Ogilvy]], Kiwi Party secretary (did not stand for election)
* [[Murray Smith (New Zealand politician)|Murray Smith]], in 2008, United Future candidate for [[Hutt South]]
* [[Gordon Copeland]], in 2008, Kiwi Party candidate for [[Rongotai (New Zealand electorate)|Rongotai]]
*[[Judy Turner]], in 2008, United Future candidate for [[East Coast (New Zealand electorate)|East Coast]]; in 2009, United Future candidate for {{NZ electorate link|Mount Albert}} electorate [[2009 Mount Albert by-election|by-election]].

== Leadership ==

=== Leader ===
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Leader
!Term Began
!Term Ended
|-
|'''1'''
|[[Peter Dunne|Hon Peter Dunne]]
|2000
|23 August 2017
|-
|'''2'''
|[[Damian Light]]
|23 August 2017
|14 November 2017
|}

=== Deputy Leader ===
{| class="wikitable"
!
!Leader
!Term Began
!Term Ended
|-
|'''1'''
|[[Anthony Walton (politician)|Anthony Walton]]
|2000
|2004
|-
|'''2'''
|[[Judy Turner]]
|2004
|14 November 2017
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|New Zealand}}
*[[Politics of New Zealand]]
*[[List of political parties in New Zealand#Historical parties|List of political parties in New Zealand § Historical parties]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Historic New Zealand political parties}}
{{United Future}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:United Future| ]]
[[Category:Defunct political parties in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Political parties in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2000]]
[[Category:2000 establishments in New Zealand]]
[[Category:2017 disestablishments in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Centrist parties in New Zealand]]