Election 2023

The countdown is on to this election's first Leaders' Debate. Labour's Chris Hipkins and National's Chris Luxon go head-to-head on TVNZ from 7pm. Former National Prime Minister, Sir John Key, says Luxon's the under-dog - and may have the tougher job. "There are actually a lot of people who want to vote for him and want to vote for National- so they will just be making sure he's the real deal. So t...

A u-turn from Labour. The Party says it'll dump its 2018 target of reducing the prison population by 30 percent within 15 years. It says the crisis has been averted and a target's no longer needed. National Party Corrections spokesperson Mark Mitchell says it's an extraordinary change. He says it's been Labour's core justice policy for the past 6 years. "At the same time, they had no plans to keep...

Prison population targets will be no more if Labour gets back in Government, because it says they've served their purpose. In 2018, the Labour Government promised to reduce the prison population by 30 percent within 15 years. Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis says the target was set because prisons were bursting at the seams when Labour took office, describing scenes of triple bunks and mattresses...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Editor Jason Walls and Chief Political Reporter Aaron Dahmen take a look at tonight’s Leaders debate – and what we should expect. Plus, they discuss another day of Chris Hipkins attacking National’s tax policy and whether it’s having any impact. And we get the details of the Greens latest campaign policy. Plus, the key Election 2023 headlines. Election Fix is you...

A former MP has some advice for both candidates in tonight’s leaders’ debate.   Labour's Chris Hipkins will face off against National’s Chris Luxon on TVNZ.   Peter Dunne mastered the crowd reactor tool the Worm during TV debates in the 2000s, and says Hipkins should control his words to avoid seeming snide.   But, he told Kate Hawkesby, there are traps for Luxon too.   He says Luxon needs to avoi...

It's debate night tonight.   As the campaign takes its next step in intensity, the unknown this year is the Luxon factor. We have never seen him head to head, unless you watch Parliament and no one does.   He has down played his credentials against a bloke who has spent his entire career in politics.   A lot of energy goes into these things. Having hosted a couple over the years, they get nervous...

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says he knows there is a lot riding on his performance in tonight's first leaders' debate as Labour needs to make up ground in the polls. The PM told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking his party can be trusted to deliver on its election promises, will tackle crime, and that the economy will bounce back. When asked by Hosking if the leaders' debate was his to lose, Hipkins repl...

David Seymour said yesterday that the media can’t be trusted to fairly carry ACT’s message.   Based on the texts we got yesterday from people who attended the ACT launch rally, there may be some truth in that. In general, I don’t think we’re being well served by election coverage at the moment... but from all sides. The annoying disruptors, the shadow boxing politicians, the agenda driven clickbai...

It will be Chris v Chris in the first leaders' debate tonight.   Labour's Chris Hipkins and National's Chris Luxon will face off on TVNZ.   The Labour leader says he hasn't spent a lot of time preparing, while Luxon says the country needs a great leader not a great debater.   But Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking that it will be important for those voters who haven't yet d...

It's been rumoured in business circles that Luxon is scoping top Kiwi figures as part of his potential administration.  Fraser Whineray and Andrew Grant have reportedly been courted by National's leader ahead of the election. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says the pair have declined so far, but Luxon has expressed interest in partnering with Whineray and Grant. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystu...

Labour's finance spokesperson remains coy about the Government turning down a proposal to stop funding gangs. Cabinet rejected a proposal in July by then-Justice Minister Kiri Allan banning anyone gang-affiliated from receiving public funding. Grant Robertson says he doesn't recall getting involved with that discussion. "Governments in the past have given a range of funding to agencies who work wi...

Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis.   This week, NZME Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie steps in for Barry Soper. The panel discuss...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Editor Jason Walls talks us through Chris Hipkins visit to Tauranga today – and whether he’s mixing and mingling with the voters. Political Reporter Sophie Trigger analyses Winston Peters’ latest public meeting in Paraparaumu. Plus, she spoke to some of his supporters and got some interesting answers. And Newstalk ZB’s Joey Dwyer discusses the latest fallout from...

What a funny old week it's been listening to the media and the Government howling for National's costings on their foreign house buyers tax and National's refusal to release them. Personally I don't give a flying fig on the costings. It seems perfectly obvious that National will not raise the money it says it will because that would take a record level of overseas sales. And National doesn't care....

Ōhāriu voters will soon get the chance to decide who represents them in the next Parliament. Newstalk ZB's Wellington Mornings held a panel with candidates for the electorate seat. Labour Greg O'Connor, National's Nicola Willis and TOP's Jessica Hammond shared what they thought were the main issues in the area. They also debated how cost of living pressures can be alleviated, the Johnsonville Mall...

Politicians are in full-on campaign mode, trying to make it over the line in the Ohariu electorate. The seat was held for years by Peter Dunne, the Labour MP turned United Future leader. Labour's Greg O'Connor took the seat in 2017 after Dunne's resignation -- and has held it since. Reporter Azaria Howell hit the streets of Johnsonville to find out if voters are going to back him a third time, and...

David Seymour claims his welfare policy will help people help themselves.   Under Act's proposal, drug addicts could lose their benefit if they refuse treatment or don't make efforts to find a job.   It would also apply to people with mental health issues like stress who don't seek help.    Seymour told Kerre Woodham we need to ask tough questions about our system.   “Should Government policy assu...

Labour's made a suite of announcements targeting women.   The party's released its first women's manifesto promising improved endometriosis care and extended breast cancer screening.   It'd also introduce gender pay gap reporting and establish an innovation and entrepreneurship scholarship programme for low to middle-income women.   Employment lawyer Jennifer Mills told Kate Hawkesby New Zealand r...

National is taking aim at the Government in what it claims is not putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.   Cabinet rejected a proposal in July by then Justice Minister Kiri Allan banning anyone gang-affiliated from receiving public funding.   National's Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking the country has a soft-on-crime Government that doesn't see crime for what it is.   He says m...

As policies fly about here and there in these last 4 weeks heading into the election, Labour's deputy prime minister and National's deputy leader will join once a week to gain insight into all things party-related.   National’s Nicola Willis joined Kate Hawkesby to discuss any fiscal plans, Act vowing to end co-governance and Labour supposedly turning down proposals to stop gang funding.   LISTEN...

Labour says raising the age limit for breast cancer screening is incredibly important.   The party's launched its "women's manifesto" – which includes improving endometriosis care.   It's also promising to extend the free breast cancer screening age to 74 a – National Party members bill promising that was drawn from the ballot box earlier this year.   Labour first promised the change in 2017.   Wo...

Labour's Cabinet turned down a proposal to stop funding gangs. The National Party's revealed the then-Justice Minister Kiri Allan lodged the proposal to end contracts with gangs in July. Cabinet didn't agree, which National says is another example of Labour being soft on crime. National's spokesperson for Public Service, Simeon Brown, says it's a waste of taxpayer money. "And what we see the Mongr...

The ACT Party's campaign took an unexpected turn this afternoon, but leader David Seymour says it's good that his party is being noticed. Four protesters managed to get past security and heckle Mr Seymour as he gave his speech. He had to raise his voice several times to drown them out, saying the protesting was a sign his party is successful. ZB political editor Jason Walls says other parties have...

Labour has released the first ever 'Women’s Manifesto', National still won't release the numbers on their tax policy, and this week brings the first of the leaders debates. To give his astute insight, Jason Walls joins the Weekend Collective. Later, National's Simeon Brown reveals that Chris Hipkins’ Cabinet considered whether to stop Government contracts involving funding for gangs in July and de...

This week on the Sunday Panel, e ditor and journalist Jo McCarroll and Freebairn and Hehir lawyers partner Liam Hehir joined in on a discussion about the following issues- and more! Luxon’s still refusing to say whether he will or won’t work with Winston Peters – does he need to be upfront? Why doesn’t he say what he plans to do? Could NZ First drag National down? What should we expect from Tuesda...