Politics: Is MMP still fit for purpose?

Looking at the recent polls, National and Labour's fall in popularity means attention turns to the smaller parties, which will become key players come November 7th and the days after it. This year's general election will mark 30 years since New Zealand moved from the First Past the Post voting system to mixed member proportional representation or MMP. Fans of MMP say the change has delivered a more diverse Parliament. But critics argue it has also given smaller parties and fringe interests disproportionate influence. So it begs the question: Is our MMP system still fit for purpose? Is there a better way? Marcus Ganley is a public law specialist with firm Franks Ogilvie but was previously a ministerial adviser to the Clark government and held senior roles in Australian federal politics, he did his thesis on the first MMP election back in 1998.