The 2002 election, called unexpectedly early, was both a landmark and a puzzle. This is an authoritative account, the 5th in a series of election studies which began in 1993, and is based on surveys of over 5000 voters, including Maori political opinion, and data from election candidates. Voters' Veto studies the campaign, the candidates, the media, the issues, the leaders, the electoral system and the social background. Central questions are why Labour did not do as well as expected, why National fell to the lowest level ever polled by a centre-right party, why NZ First recovered, and why United Future became such a pivotal player. The book explores the political importance of Maori and the continuing implications of MMP. Planned as accessible and readable, it will be of immense interest to all political junkies. The previous books were all well received and the work highly respected in internationally, two of them winning the Wallace Prize, the major award for NZ electoral studies. Voters' Veto continues a unique, immensely valuable ongoing picture of voters' behaviour over more than a decade of change and drama.