The ACT Party sold out its annual conference on Sunday, announcing a plan to "rein in bad lawmaking" by forming a new Ministry of Regulation.
While leader David Seymour's arrival was typically theatrical, cruising on stage in a Suzuki Swift, he was reticent on his bottom lines for forming a Government with National.
Fuelled by the fossil-fuelled power of resentment towards the Government, Seymour began with a zinger: "Not a hint of scandal and not a crybaby in sight."
On Sunday, he announced a plan to knock by bureaucracy by introducing more bureaucracy.
"This'll be the first time anyone in Government is keeping an eye on red tape. Right now everyone's making red tape and no one has the job of watching it," he said.
He insisted a new Minister and Ministry of Regulation would be funded through existing budgets, but would somehow do the job better.
"If you think about it, [we are] reconstituting in a way that will be effective."
He also threw down the gauntlet for National's conservative Christian Simon O'Connor in his safe Tamaki seat by declaring the blue reign will be upended by his deputy Brooke van Velden.
"She gives me hope that our party and our value will have a long future. She represents another generation realising you can't fix the climate, mental health or housing with kindness alone," Seymour said.
Other ACT Party MPs gave speeches on Sunday, including Karen Chhour who said that "honest conversations can no longer be had through fear of being cancelled or labelled a bigot or a racist".
Meanwhile, Mark Cameron said ACT was the "fastest-growing party in New Zealand".
Though the speeches went on a little too long some - ACT MP Damien Smith was caught having a snooze.
ACT sold out the 600-strong stage show at Auckland's Skycity theatre, selling tickets for $60 a pop.
Former ACT leader Don Brash said he was "surprised" the party sold tickets to the event.
"Normally political parties don't charge for this kind of occasion."
But punters were happy to pay.
"Impressed with Karen Chhour and Nicole [McKee]. I think they are very, very strong and I think they are two of the greatest Māori leaders we'll ever see," one person told Newshub.
"It went very, very well," another said.
A buoyant Seymour is hoping to ride this wave all the way to the election.
"I think ACT's vote will rise because people like what we're saying."
