The seal of secrecy remains tight around coalition negotiations, but when a deal is struck, ACT leader David Seymour says he has "no problem" in making the coalition agreement public.
As Aotearoa enters its second week of coalition coverage, the conversations happening behind closed doors remain confidential.
ACT leader David Seymour and Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick joined AM on Tuesday morning, and right off the bat, AM's Ryan Bridge attempted to get something out of the "soon to be cabinet Minister" Seymour.
But Seymour wouldn't be drawn on what's unfolding behind the scenes, instead replying: "well spring is coming, and the sun is shining".
Bridge tried once more, asking what Seymour's portfolio is, but no luck – the ACT leader shrugged the question off with a giggle, sending Swarbrick and Bridge into laughter too.
"Okay let's talk about something else," said Bridge.
After moving the political panel onto other topics, Bridge returned to coalition talks where Seymour was asked how he and New Zealand First leader Winston Peters were getting along.
"Just fine," Seymour replied.
But the ACT leader said he and Peters haven't spoken with each other since the election result.
Attempting to understand what National, NZ First and ACT are talking about during this coalition negotiation period, Bridge asked how it all works and who they talk to.
"Well, let's put it this way. I think politics for the last few years has been far too focused on personality and drama. And actual fact what that has cost us is the ability to get results. So, we've ended up in a society where things cost too much, and things are far too unsafe and we're more divided," Seymour replied.
Seymour believes Kiwis want a stable and united Government at the end of the coalition negotiation period and he's "sure that we will".
"Then we're going to roll up our sleeves and start fixing the numerous problems that have stacked up," Seymour said.
"So, we can play the game of who's talking to who and so on and all the rest. But actually, I think what people are going to want to see at the end of this is a stable, united Government."
National and ACT can form a Government on the preliminary numbers, but that may change after the special votes are counted on November 3, where they could require NZ First.
Seymour said by the time special votes are counted, Kiwis will have a good idea of what the next Government will look like.
When the time comes and a coalition deal has been struck, Bridge asked if Seymour would commit to releasing the coalition agreement in full.
It comes after the 2017 coalition Government held its 33-page coalition document under lock and key, which the Chief Ombudsmen ruled was held by Jacinda Ardern in her capacity as Labour Party leader.
This meant it was not able to be requested for release under the Official Information Act.
Seymour believes a coalition Government he's apart of should release their agreement in full and said he has "no problem" in doing that.
"I think that that should be in the public domain. So, you know, that's certainly our starting point. And I'm sure that people will see that in the fullness of time."
Swarbrick agreed but is keen to take it further and introduce an independent policy costing unit in Parliament.
"Which says, you know, with all of the promises that different political parties are bringing to the election, that we have a baseline arbiter within our Parliament, that sits independent of any political party to cost up all of those policies based on said variables, because I think that that actually would be in the public interest as well."
Watch the full interview above for more.
