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 need to rely on the extra boost from NZ First? Protesters flooded Parliament grounds today to protest ...
Sep 28, 2023•9 min
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, who need to step up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 28, 2023•4 min
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 for is actually a trial of a prostate cancer screening program. We've had to do a lot of this backgr...
Sep 28, 2023•2 min
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 one wants to get rid of their best people in their homes- but we need tools in our toolbox if we're to...
Sep 28, 2023•5 min
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 in any other election beforehand- and it’s coming from the big end of town. He wasn’t in the debate last n...
Sep 28, 2023•3 min
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. Of course, the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including Act’s newest landlord policy and ...
Sep 28, 2023•7 min
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 walking like in the first debate. He looked like he didn't care, was over it, was going through the motio...
Sep 28, 2023•3 min
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 questions about what book the two leaders are reading at the moment. Yes, there was quite a bit of Chri...
Sep 27, 2023•5 min
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 a moderator with a personality and some energy. At times Paddy Gower is a mile over the top and says a lot of ra...
Sep 27, 2023•2 min
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.
Sep 27, 2023•8 min
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. However, Jason Walls says if he had to pick a debate winner it would be Winston Peters, who wasn't even in ...
Sep 27, 2023•3 min
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 political commentator Brigitte Morton told Tim Dower that the chances Hipkins will continue as Prime Ministe...
Sep 27, 2023•4 min
Trying to pick a winner from a TV debate is a tricky thing to do. First thing I have to bear in mind is that I'm not impartial when I look at these things. I've already decided who I want to win, so that's bound to be an influence. I started going through it round by round, first one to Luxon, even in the second, Hipkins in round three. Four to Luxon, five to Hipkins... overall, I'd have to say Hipkins was the winner on the night. Which you might expect, given he's the career politician. Did Lux...
Sep 27, 2023•2 min
The Labour Party has laid out their newly proposed fiscal policy ahead of the election. Labour has pledged to look for more savings across the books, and keep net debt under 30 percent of GDP. Milford Asset Management's Frances Sweetman says Labour's 'careful and balanced' fiscal plan comes with a few caveats. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 27, 2023•3 min
It's looking increasingly likely Chris Luxon will have to pick up the phone to Winston Peters next month. Tonight's One News/ Verian Poll shows New Zealand First is on 6 percent - up a point - and remaining in a kingmaker position. Labour and National have both dropped 1 point - to 26 and and 36 percent- and Act's steady on 12. The Greens are on 13, and Te Pati Maori is at 2 percent. National Deputy Leader Nicola Willis says it shows the election will come down to the wire. "People listening nee...
Sep 27, 2023•8 min
Newshub's Paddy Gower says National and Labour's leaders are gutless for refusing to debate their colleagues in the minor parties. He will moderate the show-down between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins in Auckland tonight, after last week's TVNZ debate. Gower says it's important for the pair to face-off, but it seems a bit historic that the other leaders won't be there. "We know that whoever forms a Government, particularly this time around, is going to need 1 or 2 of those other parties- an...
Sep 27, 2023•4 min
Labour's David Parker has responded to National's criticism of the Party's fiscal plan. The plan promises to look for more savings across the Government's books and to keep net debt under 30 percent of GDP. But National questions Labour's credibility- saying it's blown all operating allowances set since 2017. Associate Finance spokesperson Parker says it's because of Covid and the cyclone and flooding. "That's no more true of us than it was of John Key when he had to meet the consequences of the...
Sep 27, 2023•5 min
A prediction tonight's leaders debate may be more exciting than the last one. Chris vs Chris will appear on Newshub at 7 tonight, moderated by Patrick Gower. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says some were disappointed by the debate on TVNZ- but he says this one could be a different story. "I've talked to both leaders- Chris Hipkins says he's essentially going on 'attack mode', so expect fireworks from him." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 27, 2023•6 min
In today’s Election Fix, Political Editor Jason Walls breaks down Labour’s fiscal plan – and talks what impact it may have on the party’s election chances. Chief Political Reporter Aaron Dahmen talks National’s new campaign bus. Plus, the pair chat how both leaders are feeling in the leadup to tonight’s debate. And Newstalk ZB’s Jacob Jones gives us the highlights of a fiery Northcote electorate debate last night. Of course, the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including Grant Robertso...
Sep 27, 2023•8 min
Labour's police spokesperson has accused her National counterpart of touring the country "scaring old ladies". Ginny Andersen told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking Breakfast that Mark Mitchell is holding public meetings to drum up fear about crime. “These meetings where you go around the country scaring old ladies. Mark's being going around the country scaring old ladies, that's exactly what his whole campaign has been." Mitchell fired back, accusing Andersen of downplaying the concerns expressed in t...
Sep 26, 2023•11 min
Labour's accusing National of beating up the vulnerable with its new welfare scheme. The opposition is promising to introduce traffic light style sanctions to those on the dole who aren't meeting Jobseeker requirements. A red light breach could mean reductions, mandatory work experience, and someone's money being managed by WINZ. Labour's Social Development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni told Tim Dower that it's in line with previous National parties, she's still surprised by the timing. She says ...
Sep 26, 2023•4 min
Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour Chief of Staff Mike Munro and Business Mentors NZ CEO Sarah Trotman joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! National seeks to introduce sanctions if beneficiaries don't meet their obligations to prepare for or find work. What do we make of this policy? Despite Labour assuring everyone that a wealth tax is off the table, Wellington Central candidate Ibrahim Omer said in a leaked video that the party hadn't given it up. Should...
Sep 26, 2023•10 min
National's Chris Luxon was set to make an impression at Auckland’s NorthWest mall. Between declining a hairdresser's offer to moisturise his head, pulling off a man’s beanie without asking and getting a blue stain on his suit at Little Lab- it was a memorable day on the campaign trail. ZB chief political reporter Aaron Dahmen says it was a mix of entertaining and weird- making for perfect campaign fodder. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 26, 2023•4 min
National denies their new welfare policy will put more children into poverty. The party wants a traffic light-style scheme, which sanctions beneficiaries who don't meet their Jobseeker obligations. A third breach could see benefit reductions, mandatory work experience, and someone's money managed by WINZ. Labour argues the policy would increase child poverty, but National's Louise Upston says it'll be better for beneficiaries' kids. "We want to see more families, more households in work, because...
Sep 26, 2023•5 min
There's growing speculation that Labour could eventually introduce a wealth tax. In a leaked video, Labour's Wellington Central candidate Ibrahim Omer tells a meeting that the party hasn't given up on the policy. Hipkins has pushed back against these claims and plans to discuss Omer's comments with him. ZB Political Editor Jason Walls says Hipkins has made it clear that he's not introducing a wealth tax- but other Labour candidates are feeling the pressure ahead of the election. LISTEN ABOVE See...
Sep 26, 2023•5 min
In today’s Election Fix, Chief Political Reporter Aaron Dahmen takes us through Christopher Luxon’s visit to the strawberry fields. And we get a breakdown of his eventful visit to Auckland’s NorthWest mall. Political Editor Jason Walls questions why Chris Hipkins is continuing his attacks against National, Act and New Zealand First. Plus he asks whether the Labour leader is getting desperate. Plus, the Election 2023 headlines you need to know – including the Green Party’s Best Start policy and r...
Sep 26, 2023•7 min
A little bit of politics, because we didn't really get a chance to talk about Christopher Luxon and David Seymour saying yes, okay, if we have to, we will work with New Zealand First. Commentators have got themselves into quite the lather over that. A sign of weakness, they were saying, being bullied by the media and all that sort of carry-on. And it's not often I agree with the leader of New Zealand First, but like him, I think that the only poll that really matters is the one on Election Day. ...
Sep 25, 2023•3 min
My favourite quote of the week, and admittedly it is only Tuesday, is from the Governance Services Manager at the Auckland city council. Submissions have just closed on the council's plan to establish Māori wards. The manager says "most submitters seemed to not want Māori seats". No kidding. Now, there are two sorts of democracy; one is what we are in at the moment, the election, where we get to have a vote and that vote counts. The other is the bit where they say they want to hear from people o...
Sep 25, 2023•2 min
Latest polling shows National will need New Zealand First on board to form a government. The latest Newshub-Reid Research poll shows Labour's fallen slightly to 26.5% and National's dropped to 39.1%. The Greens' boosted to 14.2%. With ACT's 8.8% the right-bloc would have 60 MPs, just below the 61 needed to form a government. New Zealand First's 5.2% would be required. Political commentator Dr Grant Duncan told Tim Dower that Luxon 'had to' end the speculation, because in all likelihood, he may b...
Sep 25, 2023•4 min
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that polls are polls, and they need to spend the next few weeks getting their poll numbers up. “Every day in an election campaign matters, and we intend to fight until the last day.” When questioned on why election odds for Labour, Greens, and Te Pati Maori sit at 0.2% if the election was held today according to a Herald poll, Hipkins said National and ACT’s numbers are coming down. “Luxon should have done what Key did and ruled Winston...
Sep 25, 2023•8 min
