Election 2023

Labour's Chris Hipkins brought some unexpected political fire into Wednesday's second leaders' debate, to the surprise of experts and viewers. Hipkins seemed confident in his performance on the night, giving himself a rating of nine, while Luxon rated himself a seven. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says Hipkins' debate performance was surprising, following a 'lackluster' and 'lifeless' start to L...

National's Chris Luxon finally confirmed that he's open to collaborating with New Zealand First, if necessary. Recent polls show a three-way coalition between parties will be needed, regardless of who wins the election- meaning National and ACT will need the extra support from Winston Peters. National's former Deputy Leader, Paula Bennett, says it would have looked arrogant to prospective voters i...

Driving around the country this week – mainly Auckland to the Central Plateau and back, you’d be forgiven for thinking there’s only one main political party in New Zealand and a couple of minor parties. Once I left the heavily placarded suburbs of Auckland, there was a smattering of Greens, Act and Te Pati Maori signs on the side of the road, but very few for Labour.   This may be down to budget -...

No surprise at all, this year's Mood of the Boardroom survey has shown that businesses are extremely disappointed in the Labour government. But it also shows nervousness over whether National will be decisive enough to turn the economy. In the CEO’s ranking, Christopher Luxon beat Chris Hipkins, but with an average of 3.5 points out of 5, Luxon looks far from a candidate that has the business team...

Nicola Willis says saving taxpayers' money isn't her party's primary motivation for a plan to index benefits to inflation. She recommitted to the pledge in National's fiscal policy today, which promises less Government spending and less debt. Willis told Heather du Plessis-Allan the benefit moves are a point of principal for National. “That what we owe all New Zealanders is a social safety net – t...

National has released its fiscal plan ahead of the election. But the operating allowance is the biggest difference between it and Labour’s – with Labour having $3.5 billion to National’s $3.2 billion. National has also allowed a $9.9 billion buffer for anything extraordinary like a natural disaster. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has also said they will do a mini-budget ahead of Christmas if elect...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Editor Jason Walls gives us his verdict on National’s fiscal plan and whether it adds up. And he asks why Christopher Luxon chose Auckland’s St Heliers for his latest walkabout. Newstalk ZB’s Political Reporter Sophie Trigger paints the picture of Chris Hipkins’ walkabout in Lower Hutt. And the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including the reaction to...

National outplays Labour according to this year's rankings from business leaders.   More than 100 CEOs and business leaders have ranked MPs in the Herald's Mood of the Boardroom survey.   Luxon comes out on top with 3.24 out of five, compared to Chris Hipkins' 2.95.   Jarden Managing Director and Co-Head of Investment Banking, Silvan Scheone, told Kerre Woodham that businesses are very concerned w...

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, John MacDonald was joined by Duncan Webb and Gerry Brownlee in studio for Politics Friday.    They discussed the need for a police chopper in Christchurch after word was released that National may seek to bring one to the city.   National's fiscal plan is out later today, will it hold all the information voters need?   And which coalition will truly be the...

Based on the premise that you learn from your mistakes and the general idea that you want to improve, the conclusion I have reached this week as another seven days in the campaign ends is we need to have a good long think about the debates.   I am not alone. Several pieces I have now read say essentially the same thing.   Debate one was widely panned as being boring, unproductive, and certainly la...

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all.       Infrastructure: 3/10  From the sink holes in Auckland to the bugs and illness in Queenstown, how third world does this country seem right now?     Auckland Airport: 3/10   Not only are the punters over it but the airlines have joined the queue as well. How much bad press do...

National and the Greens will release their fiscal plans today, following the release of Labour's fiscal plan on Wednesday.   National Finance Spokesperson Nicola Willis said their plan will show how National plans to fund its election commitments, including lowering taxes and debt.   She told Mike Hosking that she's confident National can pay for what it's promising on the campaign trail.   LISTEN...

Polls are great. I love ‘em and I love the occasional surprise we get from them.   They're really useful in providing those snapshots of public opinion at any given moment.   And you'll be aware the political parties use them extensively, not just to see how they're tracking but for all sorts of nefarious stuff like testing out our reactions to policy ideas.   On top of that there's also a lot of...

Tonight on The Huddle, Tim Wilson from Maxim Institute and Ali Jones from Red PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Luxon and Hipkins went head to head in their second leaders debate last night - who do you think won? Do you think debates convince any voters or are they for entertainment only? Winston Peters is gaining momentum in the polls- will National ne...

Winston Peters could be the one benefiting most from Labour and National's coalition squabbles. In last night's Leaders Debate, Labour's Chris Hipkins dug into National's Chris Luxon over his plans to work with New Zealand First, if needed. Newstalk ZB Editor Jason Walls says the more Peters is discussed, the more his vote share will increase. He says this could leak votes from National and Act, w...

Campaigners for one of the nation's deadliest cancers feel like their cause is being ignored this election. At last night's debate, Luxon and Hipkins both promised to lower the age for free bowel cancer screenings going forward. Prostate Cancer Foundation President Danny Bedingfield says the Government has show it cares about people's lives- but their cause needs more support. "What we're looking...

The Property Investors Federation welcomes ACT's proposed housing policy changes- but tenant advocacy groups are sceptical. The plan includes reinstating mortgage interest deductibility, abolishing the bright-line test and allowing no fault evictions. Federation President Sue Harrison says these changes will make it easier for landlords and tenants alike. "No one wants to evict good tenants, no on...

I don’t quite know how we’re back here, but we are - Winston's back in Government, isn’t he?   I think all the signs now point to the fact that National can’t do it without him . The Herald’s Poll of Polls says National and ACT have a 40 percent chance of forming Government alone. With Winston, it’s a 99.7 percent chance . The big donors are backing him, he’s pulling in more money right now than i...

In today’s Election Fix, Political Editor Jason Walls gives us an update on Chris Hipkins’ energy levels after last night’s debate. And he talks through the Labour Leader’s trip to Northland. Chief Political Reporter Aaron Dahmen lets us know if Christopher Luxon still has a spring in his step after the second debate. Plus, he chats about a hilarious interaction aboard the National campaign bus. O...

Last night's leaders' debate was vastly more entertaining than the first one.    Was it a debate? Well, Sister Philippa, my old debating coach at Sacred Heart Girls College, wouldn't have seen it as a debate per say. I think it was more of a bit of infotainment.   Chris Hipkins, the leader of Labour, showed up and heaven knows we love a politician who shows up. He no longer looked like a dead man...

If you want proof that people will see what they want to see and hear what they want to hear, I’ve got it for you.   And it’s to do with last night’s leaders’ debate on TV3. Which, by the way, blew last week’s debate on TV1 out of the water, didn't it?   Not just because Chris Hipkins appeared to be awake this time. But also because it had a much better structure and didn’t waste time on pointless...

I think most people would agree with the winner, wouldn't they?   Andrew Webster deserved the Dally M Coach of the Year.     But back here we seemed to call it for Chris Hipkins.   I'll come back to that, but a couple of broadcasting notes for TVNZ, given Newshub's effort last night was in a completely different league.   - Get an audience that reacts because it brings life to a broadcast   - Get...

Christopher Luxon is denying he conceded defeat at last night's leaders' debate.   National's leader told Mike Hosking that he was disappointed with Hipkins aggressive approach.   Following the debate, Hipkins gave himself a rating of nine, while Luxon rated himself a seven.   Pundits judged Hipkins a near-unanimous winner.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hipkins appears to be utilising New Zealand First's growing strength in the polls.   The Labour leader went up against National's Christopher Luxon last night in what commentators agree was far more fiery second leaders' debate.   Political Editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking that Hipkins is now on the attack with a new approach, hinting a vote for National is a vote for Winston Peters.   H...

The chances of Chris Hipkins retaining his role as Prime Minister appears to be fading by the day.   The latest One News-Verian result puts National on 36% while Labour sits at 26%.   Earlier this week, the Herald's Poll of Polls showed Labour has a 0.2% chance of staying in government, the worst result for any main governing party since the Great Depression.   Former National Party advisor and po...