Election 2023

Goldman Sachs analysts have warned National's proposed tax cuts could risk worsening existing economic pressures. Andrew Boak and William Nixon believe National's plan could  exacerbate inflation, and therefore cause interest rates to remain higher for longer. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny agrees, claiming National's proposed foreign buyers tax and increased immigration fee...

Grant Robertson's reflected on his Government's record on student poverty, after a confrontation at a Wellington university today. After Robertson cast his vote at Victoria University, a student initiated a testy exchange, asking about Labour's rejection of a universal student allowance. ZB political editor Jason Walls says Grant Robertson's defence was fair, as Labour removed first-year fees duri...

The latest One News/ Verian poll shows NZ First still holds the balance of power. Labour is stagnant at 26 percent, National's leading with 36 percent- but ACT has dropped two points to 10 percent, meaning they'll need NZ First to reach the threshold. National finance spokesperson Nicola Willis isn't confident Winston Peters will stand by a possible National/ACT coalition. "It's been 27 years sinc...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger paints the picture of Christopher Luxon’s visit to the West Coast. Political Editor Jason Walls discusses what happened to Grant Robertson at Victoria University – and tells us what’s got Chris Hipkins riled up from isolation. And Newstalk ZB’s Joey Dwyer talks us through candidate debates in Epsom and Tamaki. And the Election 2023 headlin...

We thought we'd have a look at the different health policies from the various parties and get your thoughts on what would benefit you, your community, those you love the most.   National announced yesterday that after birth hospital stays for mothers would be extended to three days, an extra 24 hours. That children and young people under 18 with type one diabetes would be provided free continuous...

Everybody Eats Restaurant Manager Jack Rainey and Lowe & Co Managing Director Craig Lowe join Nick Mills on the Business Panel. Together they discuss the Wellington Town Hall's skyrocketing restoration costs, the upcoming election, crime in the CBD, housing supply in the capital, and plans to remove cars from the Golden Mile.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should I have been surprised?   The debate around the Press debate has entered day two. If it carries on today that’s day three and that's two days too many.   Sure, it's news that a Prime Minister gets ill and can't attend a pre-arranged event. But that’s about it.   There is a certain irony that, having spent the past week deciding broadly that debates are a bit of a waste of time, certain playe...

National and Labour are continuing to argue over who's going to rely on who to form a government after next week's election.   National's Mark Mitchell told Mike Hosking that Labour will need to make concessions to form a government with the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori.   But Labour's Megan Woods says that National and Act will have to submit to the wishes of Winston Peters and New Zealand First...

Tonight on The Huddle, Neale Jones from Capital and Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Chris Luxon says he'll be active in Christchurch next Tuesday, but there's no room in his itinerary for a rescheduled Press debate. The event due to happen tonight was called off after Chris Hipkins got Covid. Is this cowardice on Luxon's...

Until Monday, no-one knew the name of the reclusive Pennsylvanian millionaire regularly visiting Hawke's Bay. Sean Colgan found himself in the spotlight after it was revealed he'd been lending his private plane to ACT's David Seymour. BusinessDesk managing editor Pattrick Smellie's been digging into his background- and earlier investments during the Covid-19 pandemic. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.c...

Chris Luxon says he'll be in Christchurch next Tuesday - but still has no time for the Press debate. Hipkins is unable to make the Press leaders debate, which was due to be held tonight, as he's tested positive for Covid-19. Luxon has been accused of chickening out of the debate by Labour. ZB political editor Jason Walls accuses Labour of being 'churlish', allowing Luxon to take the high road. LIS...

A political commentator says he doubts an incorrect email sent by the Council of Trade Unions was a genuine mistake. The CTU's email sent on Sunday night incorrectly claimed National would remove policies like 10 days sick leave and the Winter Energy Payment. It has now clarified it meant to say they are things National has opposed in the past. Commentator Peter Dunne says the CTU economist previo...

Is Chris Luxon chickening out of the press debate tonight? Of course he is ch ickening out . Sure, his campaign diary will be full and it’ll be a pain in the butt to rearrange things to fit in an afternoon and evening in Christchurch, because it is a several hours long operation to get ready for a debate and then do the debate . But if he really wanted to do it , he would . He just doesn’t. Fair e...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger discusses the National Party’s latest health pledges – and how they’ll sit with voter. She also paints the picture of Christopher Luxon’s visit to a retirement home and his walkabout at Riccarton Mall. Plus, she gives us the latest on Chris Hipkins’ health. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including Rawiri Waititi’s comme...

I think it's a little bit rich when you've got Chris Hipkins cancelling a debate because of Covid and people send him "best wishes" and "get well soon"s, instead of accepting the good wishes graciously and using the time to recover at home, out go attack ads saying Chris Luxon is a chicken for refusing to reschedule the debate.   They offered to put up Kelvin Davis against Christopher Luxon, but t...

The feathers are flying with Labour accusing Christopher Luxon of being too chicken to front up to a leaders debate here in Christchurch.   And I mean, literally, too chicken. Because it’s going nuts on social media saying Luxon’s running scared with a photo of him in a chicken suit.   And I reckon National will be quietly loving it. Because how desperate does Labour look? How desperate? Very desp...

Chris Luxon told  Canterbury Mornings  the photoshopped pictures of him wearing a chicken suit circulating social media, after pulling out of The Press Leader's debate, was "a load of rubbish".   "Let's be clear, [Chris Hipkins] is isolating in his hotel with Covid, we're ten days from an election and we have a debate next week anyway with TVNZ," the National leader said.   "We have a busy schedul...

The most shameful promise this election came from Labour, who promised in 2017 to increase the breast screening age, and then for six years didn’t do anything.   And now they are promising it again, as though you are supposed to believe them and things will be different.   The most ridiculous promise came yesterday, suggesting Labour are now wanting to run a Four Square.   It would be a Government...

Labour's committing to further shake-ups within the supermarket sector in a bid to break up the grocery duopoly.   While details are in the early stages, help with finances, gaining land space, and making regulator changes are on the cards.   Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, told Mike Hosking a new competitor won't enter the market without Government support.   He doesn't believe it would be in the f...

Political candidates are facing increased violence.   National says a volunteer's faced death threats, another was attacked by a dog, and one candidate has moved house after threats from a gang.   In the past week, Labour's Angela Roberts says she was slapped at a debate, and Te Pati Maori's Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke says her home was invaded.   Parliamentary Service Chief Executive Rafael Gonzale...

I went out in search of some democracy yesterday, trying to early vote.   I looked up on the Vote NZ website where in my area had early voting places open and what time. I headed out on a walk confident I’d found the place but as I rocked up there, the lights were out; the first bad sign. Then I saw an actual sign on the ground, blown over in the wind, it said ‘no early voting here until October 9...

Last week's Mood of the Boardroom survey ranked National's Chris Luxon over his Labour counterpart. The survey compiled responses from more than 100 chief executives and leaders- with Luxon scoring 3.24 out of 5 compared to Hipkins' 2.95. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says voters are still sceptical of National's tax package, with experts criticising the party's priorities. LISTEN ABOV...

Labour may need to change gear for the next week of election campaigning. Party leader and incumbent Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has Covid and will isolate for five days, or until he tests negative. Finance Spokesperson Grant Robertson says these circumstances aren't ideal, but Labour has a big team of candidates and volunteers raising support on the campaign trail. "There's not a lot we can do a...

National has disclosed allegations of violence and intimidation threatening to disrupt their election campaign. Allegations claim a gang threat has forced a candidate to move house, a volunteer's faced death threats, and another's been the victim of a dog attack. Labour's Angela Roberts has reported being slapped at a debate, and Te Pati Maori's Hana Maipi-Clarke says she's had a politically-motiv...

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, the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper. Our ex...