How are politicians using social media to target, inform, interact with, mobilise and pursue voters in New Zealand’s 2020 general election? Are there local examples of ‘fake news’ and other trends negatively affecting elections overseas?

The New Zealand Social Media Study (NZSMS), led by Dr Mona Krewel and Professor Jack Vowles from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s Political Science and International Relations programme, is analysing the most salient campaign topics, the dominant political actors in the parties’ campaigns, and their campaigning strategies on social media during the final four weeks of the campaign.

Each week, it is publishing its latest findings and accompanying commentary here and they are free for republication under Creative Commons. Dr Krewel and Professor Vowles are also available to interview about the findings.

The NZSMS is part of the Digital Election Campaigning Worldwide (DigiWorld) project analysing elections around the globe.