Gareth Morgan launches political party: 'I'm here to disturb you'

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Businessman Gareth Morgan has entered politics, launching the Opportunities Party.

The environmentalist and economist unveiled his new career move in a video, which shows him standing on Parliament's lawn explaining why he wants to walk the corridors of power.

"The beef I have with establishment parties and career politicians is they try to do as little as possible," he says.

"They don't want their voters disturbed. Clearly I don't have that problem. I'm here to disturb you."

In a reference to Guy Fawkes Day tomorrow, one promotional image shows Mr Morgan standing in front of the Beehive with the tagline: "Let's light a fuse under this place".

Rumours have long circulated about Mr Morgan's political ambitions due to his commentary on political issues and the economy.

He was the keynote speaker at the Mana Party conference in 2014, campaigning for a universal basic allowance.

"The idea of the Opportunities Party is to help New Zealanders fulfil their aspirations," he says.

"I think this country isn't reaching anything like its potential. I want far more Kiwis having the same opportunities as I did over my career."

Mr Morgan is well-known for his war on cats, launching a campaign in 2013 to eradicate domestic cats and labelling them "natural-born killers" that destroy native wildlife.

He also holds strong views about climate change - his Morgan Foundation researchers have released three reports this year accusing the Government of cheating to meet our Paris Agreement target to reduce emissions.

Newshub.

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