From NZ Herald · · 2m
Luxon and Hipkins face off in leaders debate
National and Labour leaders clash in election debate amid tight polls and cost-of-living claims.
In brief
National and Labour leaders clash in election debate amid tight polls and cost-of-living claims. Labour and National leaders face off in election debate after tight polls show both parties neck and neck. Originally reported by NZ Herald.
Leaders debate preview
Labour leader Chris Hipkins and National leader Christopher Luxon will face off in their second televised leaders’ debate of the election.
Tight election polls
The latest 1 News-Verian poll shows National down one point to 28%; Labour at 28%; NZ First at 10%; Greens at 15%; Act at 10%; Opportunity at 8%; Te Pāti Māori at 0.4%.
Labour's cost-of-living claim
Labour claims an Auckland family with two kids pays $6302 more a year under National, excluding 2024 tax cuts and mortgage reductions.
National's response
National campaign chairman Simeon Brown called Labour's attack 'sad', citing inflation hitting 32-year high under National and current 1.9% under Labour.
Labour's ad campaign
Labour launched ads accusing National of wanting to 'freeze your pay' by linking minor parties' policies to National's tax attacks.
National's tax criticism
National campaign chairman Simeon Brown stated Labour's tax policies led to 5.5% Official Cash Rate, causing pressure on homeowners.
Labour's policy paper
Labour's campaign chairman Kieran McAnulty said the $6302 annual cost figure does not include coalition tax cuts or mortgage cost reductions.
Debate timing
The debate is hosted by the Herald and moderated by Ryan Bridge, with live coverage on herald.co.nz, the Herald mobile app, and Three.
Polling context
The latest poll shows no path to power for National without Opportunity, which Luxon has ruled out.
Labour's tax attack
Hipkins previously called National's tax attack 'bullshit', stating the claim is false.
Policy comparison
Labour's policy paper claims higher prices for food, petrol, power, rates, healthcare, and school transport cost families $120 weekly.
National's response to ads
National campaign chairman Simeon Brown described Labour's attack as 'sad', noting inflation reached 32-year high under National.
Debate outcome
Readers will rank each leader's performance during the debate using the 'worm' feature.
In short
Labour and National leaders face off in election debate after tight polls show both parties neck and neck.
