Mt Albert Candidate Interview: Quilae Wong

NEWS | ISSUE ELEVEN | MAHIMAHI / SEX

Written by Liam Hansen (they/them) | @liamhanse.n 

The Opportunity Party is a strange little beast. It runs on the lines of radical centrism, having been founded as the Opportunities Party in 2016 by Gareth Morgan and since running in an attempt to distance themselves from how much he hates cats. There were rumblings of a TOP victory last election, with party leader Raf Manji staking everything on winning Ilam in Christchurch before losing to National by 8,000 votes. Despite the 2026 base being led in Mount Albert, the new momentum of TOP is being felt nationwide, as recent polling has consistently suggested the party will be in parliament by January. 

Before the current campaign kicked off, the last major noise made by TOP came as their hunt for a new party leader was taken to SEEK with a little bit of media fanfare. Quilae was not somebody who came in from the streets with a CV and a dream, though – she’s been in the opportunity camp for a while. 

Liam Hansen

How did you first get involved with The Opportunity Party (TOP)?

Quilae Wong

I received an email blast through the mailing list as a past voter and supporter.

Liam Hansen

Before that, you were working across environmental and sustainability spaces. What made you want to shift into leading and candidacy for a party that hasn't made its way into Parliament yet?

Quilae Wong

I had always been interested in politics and did advocacy work in my previous roles. I was part of Kiwis for Climate, a group of sustainability professionals advocating for policy positions. The shift in government direction in 2023 made me particularly interested. While consulting at KPMG, I saw clients making significant investments to decarbonize and change their business models. However, the rapid change in political rhetoric around climate action made them pull back, which frustrated me and pushed me to consider getting involved directly.

Liam Hansen

Would you consider climate change and the environment your primary motivation for getting involved?

Quilae Wong

Using business as a force for good summarizes my driver. It covers climate, people, and communities. With the right settings, business can deliver positive societal outcomes without harming the environment or communities. Long-term commercial resilience comes from taking a broader view, but current settings do not incentivize that behavior. Flip-flop politics affects everyone - not just businesses, but teachers, doctors, nurses, and engineers. That whiplash holds the country back.

Liam Hansen

Looking back at 2023, there were attempts to set up climate protections and infrastructure frameworks, but that narrative didn't resonate enough electorally. Where do you think it went wrong, and how are you approaching it differently?

Quilae Wong

I was overseas until March 2022, but looking at it, there were big promises made. In change management, setting the right level of expectations is critical. If you cannot live up to big promises, people feel disappointed. It requires a balance between setting expectations and inspiring hope. That is why cross-party agreement and long-term thinking are vital to us. If one side of politics rams an agenda through, you inevitably get backlash from the other side.

Liam Hansen

How do you view the term "centrist"?

Quilae Wong

It is not my preferred term, but we use it because it helps people understand that we will work with either side. It reinforces an outdated left-right spectrum. We prefer to look at major challenges facing us and evaluate solutions on their merit - whether for climate change, AI joblessness, or global volatility - rather than adhering to specific ideologies.

Liam Hansen

How do you communicate big policy ideas like the land tax and Citizens' Income to voters who might view them as overly ambitious or leaning left?

Quilae Wong

Our tax policy aims to build a more productive and prosperous economy. We want a mature conversation about the purpose of tax and incentivizing beneficial behavior. Our tax proposals include a land tax and a Citizens' Income, shifting the tax burden off income and onto assets. This gives lower-income individuals more disposable income while disincentivizing land banking and excessive property portfolios. We recognize these are big changes that may take time, but discussing them now prevents a future crisis. In the interim, we have other policies for small-business support, competition, and innovation that can gain cross-party support with either Labour or National.

Liam Hansen

Can you elaborate on your proposal for the Impact Companies Act?

Quilae Wong

Before KPMG, I led the B Corp movement in New Zealand. Purpose-led companies that elevate social and environmental purpose alongside profit are often more commercially resilient long-term. Currently, the Companies Act governs for-profit companies driven primarily by shareholder returns, while charities receive tax benefits for community work. There is nothing in between. An Impact Company model bridges this gap: businesses delivering social good - like driving financial literacy - can access up to $100,000 in tax-deductible investment annually, provided they publish annual impact reports and state a clear public purpose.

Liam Hansen

Where does the arts, culture, and music sector fit into this vision? Would they qualify as impact companies?

Quilae Wong

Yes, organizations like Big Fan Studio - which engages young people in music and hosts all-ages events - are prime examples of impact companies. The creative and arts sector often gets pigeonholed into traditional perceptions, but it can be cutting-edge technology and innovation. The gaming sector, such as Kawawa Studios in Christchurch, turns creative talent into valuable export opportunities. Investing in and supporting those sectors to scale should be a priority.

Liam Hansen

Why did you choose to run in the Mt Albert electorate specifically?

Quilae Wong

I live in the electorate, and campaigning where you live feels authentic. Mt Albert is a tight race, and the demographics fit our voter base: many young families who want a thriving economy alongside environmental and climate accountability.

Liam Hansen

Would you look into local issues like venue noise restrictions to help foster live music and community spaces in Mt Albert?

Quilae Wong

I will look into the specific noise restrictions. Mt Albert is already vibrant across Kingsland, Dominion Road, and Morningside, but areas like Mt Albert center and Pt Chevalier could have more community spaces. Having lived in London for nine years, I see the value in dense communities supported by third spaces - whether music venues, community halls, playgrounds, or cafes.

Liam Hansen

What is your stance on major public transport infrastructure like Auckland Light Rail?

Quilae Wong

As a party, we are generally pro-trains. We want the Infrastructure Commission to play a stronger role in commissioning market studies and business cases to depoliticize infrastructure. When politicians hold the pen, one government proposes a project and the next cancels it. Having an independent commission set clear criteria - such as value for money, emission reductions, and capacity - ensures long-term project continuity without creating excessive bureaucracy.

Liam Hansen

How do you address criticisms regarding high-profile donors supporting TOP who also support parties like ACT or Labour?

Quilae Wong

Our two largest donors are Brian Cartmel (who has donated to ACT and NZ First) and Philip Mills (who donates to Labour and the Greens). They sit on different sides of the traditional spectrum. Our party constitution keeps policy decisions strictly independent from donations. Both donors support us because they see the value of a fresh, evidence-based perspective in Parliament. While we advocate limiting donations to $30,000, we must operate within current settings to gain representation and enact systemic reform.

Liam Hansen

How do you view post-election negotiations if TOP holds a kingmaker position?

Quilae Wong

Our priority is maximizing our party vote. Our bottom lines will clearly signal to voters how we approach negotiations. The ball will be in National's or Labour's court to work with us on those core issues.

Liam Hansen

What is your position on rainbow and transgender rights?

Quilae Wong

We opposed the Restoring Free Speech Bill and fully support the rainbow community. Transgender people have faced vulnerability and ostracization, and we must champion their human rights. Embracing diversity in background, ethnicity, gender, and perspective makes society and businesses stronger.