Advance NZ party's Facebook page removed for breaching misinformation policies

Advance NZ co-leader Billy Te Kahika Jnr says Facebook has interfered in the election. Photo / Peter Meecham

Facebook has pulled Advance NZ's page just two days out from the Election.

Party co-leader Billy Te Kahika says the move is "nothing short of election interference", and is calling for an investigation into the social media giant's behaviour.

"Advance NZ has been bravely questioning the Government's approach to Covid-19, sharing the views and advice of international scientists, and standing up to vested interests in New Zealand," he said.

But a Facebook spokeswoman said the party was deplatformed after it repeatedly breached the social media site's misinformation policies.

"We don't allow anyone to share misinformation on our platforms about Covid-19 that could lead to imminent physical harm," she said.

"We have clear policies against this type of content and will enforce on these policies regardless of anyone's political position or party affiliation.

"We removed Advance New Zealand / New Zealand Public Party's Facebook Page for repeated violations of this policy."

It comes as the party was ordered to pull misleading advertising claiming vaccinations were mandatory under the law - which they aren't.

Director general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has even gone on the record to say a vaccine to Covid-19 would not be mandatory.

The Advertising Standards Authority said the statement used sent the message that the Government had overstepped its boundaries in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The board also noted the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in heightened fear about vaccination and the use of the unsubstantiated statement was likely to cause fear or distress without justification," the ASA said in its decision.

In August the party was ordered to pull a political video off social media which claimed the Labour party would force New Zealanders to be vaccinated.

Speaker Trevor Mallard told the party take down the clip posted to the party's Facebook page because it breaches the rules of using Parliamentary footage.

At the time, Advance NZ co-leader Jami-Lee Ross said he rejected Mallard's move and labelled it "draconian".

Advance NZ co-leader Jami-Lee Ross said in August he rejected Mallard's move and labelled it "draconian". Photo / Mark Mitchell

Today, Te Kahika said Facebook's actions showed that the party was in a "very real fight" against New Zealand becoming a totalitarian state.

"This is a cynical example of election interference by an American-owned social media outlet that has no business performing any such operation in our sovereign nation. I am horrified beyond belief."

"We need to stand now, in this election, to protect our rights and freedoms," he said.

"We need a full inquiry into Facebook's election interference."

Te Kahika holds a number of controversial views, including that Covid-19 was a bioweapon designed to be used on civilians around the world.