The Four Phases of Political Influence: Your 2026 Election Roadmap

Why arrogance is the enemy of influence, and how smart organisations prepare for political change. 

Author: Emily Broadmore  

October 2017. I'd spent weeks painstakingly setting up meetings for a chief executive across all political parties, carefully matching spokespeople to his portfolio areas. Then, the day he was scheduled to meet with a person who would go on to become a core government Minister, he didn’t turn up.  

'Why?' I asked, shocked yet feigning calmness after getting off the phone from an understandably grumpy SPS wondering why her MP’s 3pm had not turned up.  

'There's no way they're going to win,' he said with the confidence that only comes from trusting the polls and living in an echo chamber.   

A few months later that particular spokesperson became a Minister. I spent months grovelling to their office, rebuilding bridges my client had torched with his political arrogance. It was a masterclass in why assumptions about political outcomes can be career-limiting.  

The lesson? Trust the experts, check your arrogance, and prepare for all possibilities.  

At Heft, we help private sector organisations, membership groups and not-for-profits navigate the political arena without making these costly mistakes. And no, it’s unlikely you will see us mentioned in the media. We keep a low profile. And we keep you in the spotlight. But behind the scenes, we're ensuring our clients are positioned for influence regardless of who holds the power in the Beehive.  

In Government Relations we like to say there is an 18-month window of opportunity. Right now, if you haven’t already got a strong advocacy plan and policy positions for your organisation, this is your window of opportunity.   

We've identified four critical phases that determine your access and influence with the next government. Download them from our website now.