Source: Alliance Party
Thursday 29 October 2026
Dunedin’s legendary ‘Cat in the Hat’ election meeting is seeing political fur fly as local candidate and Alliance Party leader Victor Billot fights for his right to speak.
The ‘Cat in the Hat’ meetings are a popular fixture on the Dunedin general election calendar, and the 2026 event will be held at the Opoho Presbyterian Church at 7pm, Sunday 1 November.
Meeting organiser and MC Philip Somerville traditionally appears at the debates dressed as the Dr Seuss character ‘The Cat in the Hat.’
However, Mr Billot says the whimsical feline is in danger of evolving into another Seuss classic: ‘The Grinch Who Stole Free and Open Debate.’
In the past, Mr Billot has spoken as a candidate at several of these forums, but this election he failed to receive an invitation.
He says he has since been told an arbitrary new rule means parties not polling nationally at a sufficient level are excluded from the debate.
Mr Billot says all he wants is a fair go.
“No special treatment, just the right to speak as a genuine candidate with a serious message.”
He says if agreement can’t be reached to give him a go, he will be standing outside the church holding his own public street-corner meeting.
Mr Billot says the Alliance Party is a registered party, running electorate candidates and a party list, with a previous role in Government and has recently gained the affiliation of a major New Zealand trade union, the Maritime Union of New Zealand.
He says as a long-term Dunedin resident, he has a history of local involvement, unlike some other candidates from “permitted” parties.
“There is no ACT Party candidate in Dunedin, and the National Party candidate is an Ashburton dairy farm owner who lives four hours’ drive away.”
Mr Billot says there is a serious principle at stake here.
“How are new or smaller parties expected to ever feature in the polls if they are censored by self-appointed gatekeepers?”
Mr Billot says he has noticed a “chilling and more closed off attitude” in this election with public platforms.
“In past campaigns, smaller parties were shown respect and given a modest opportunity to present themselves to the voting public.”
“In 2026, I have noticed a trend to favour the establishment parties and shut out the underdog.”
Mr Billot says election debate organisers must take responsibility for allowing the free and open exchange of ideas.
“The Opoho event is not a private meeting of a club, it is a public meeting for the general election, open to all local people.”
He says as big money and social media algorithms now dominate politics, community forums and public debates become ever more important.
Mr Billot says some outlets are still prepared to give all voices a fair go.
“For example, the Public Interest podcast has had thousands of views for my recent interview, and even right-wing outlets such as Reality Check Radio and The Platform have provided a fair hearing to a democratic socialist party such as the Alliance.”
“This is a very important principle at stake.”