Philanthropist, economist, bird lover and Mount resident Gareth Morgan has today announced the formation of a new political party.

The Opportunities Party seeks to 'improve fairness, and give many more New Zealanders the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations,” according to a press release from the Morgan Foundation.

As a result of this new venture, Gareth has resigned as a trustee of the foundation, in order to focus on his political campaign.

He calls the Opportunities Party 'a rebellion against the politics of mediocrity and the inertia of the established parties.”

Some of the party's key focus areas are:

1. fairness
2. reduced poverty
3. housing affordability
4. environmental sustainability and making the most from our natural capital
5. national pride

Gareth says they will be able to work with either National or Labour.

The party logo is the Wā kāinga/Home flag, which was the winning design in a new flag competition held by the Morgan Foundation last year.

Gareth says the next few months will be spent convincing voters the party will produce 'a substantial improvement in wellbeing.”

'The changes I'm talking about will benefit us, our children and our grandchildren,” he says.

'But to effect change we need to be in parliament and in sufficient numbers to have undue influence.”

More information on the new party can be found on their website.