# Election 2026 debate: Greens' Marama Davidson and Act's David Seymour clash over gang visit

> Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson defends gang pad visit during election campaign as Act's David Seymour criticizes it.
- Title: Election 2026 debate: Greens' Marama Davidson and Act's David…
- Summary: Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson defends gang pad visit during election campaign as Act's David Seymour criticizes it.
- Keywords: election 2026, marama davidson, david seymour, act, greens, gang pad visit, powerbrokers debate, opportunity leader, winston peters, te pāti māori, politics, news
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-debate-greens-marama-davidson-and-acts-david-seymour-clash-over-gang-visit/BGL4NHGWX5BE5NEG4MLWPLFX4U
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: election 2026, marama davidson, david seymour, act, greens, gang pad visit, powerbrokers debate, opportunity leader, winston peters, te pāti māori, politics, news
## Gang Pad Visit Controversy
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson defended a candidate's gang pad visit during the election campaign amid controversy.

> i will listen to anyone who wants to turn their life around for the better
## Act's David Seymour Criticism
Act's David Seymour criticized the visit as sending the wrong message, questioning the restoration of mana to the Mongrel Mob.

> why on earth would you go to the very place that causes so much of that trouble and say that you want to restore mana to the mongrel mob
## Opportunity Leader's Stance
Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong called the campaign engagement with gangs inappropriate and supported first-home buyer policies.

> i think there are lots of things that happened in the 50s and 60s that would be inappropriate today
## Debate Participants
The debate featured Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, Act's David Seymour, Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong, and NZ First leader Winston Peters.
## Te Pāti Māori Withdrawal
Te Pāti Māori pulled out of the debate after co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer's mother passed away.
## Debate Dynamics
The debate was fiery with Ryan Bridge summoning the spirit of Paula Bennett to calm the leaders after it got out of hand.
## Seymour on KiwiSaver
Seymour criticized Opportunity's policy of axing KiwiSaver withdrawals for first-home buyers as harmful to housing affordability.

> that’s going to mean that the only people who can buy a house in this country are those dependent on the bank of mum and dad
## Wong on Land Tax
Opportunity proposed a land tax and tax reset to support first-home buyers through a citizen's income policy.

> that’s why we have proposed the land tax and the tax reset as a whole
## Peters on Smacking
NZ First leader Winston Peters discussed his childhood experience with physical discipline and anti-smacking laws.

> as a child i got a few smackings and guess what i thoroughly deserved them
## Wong on Peters' Criticism
Wong countered Peters' criticism of her centrism as 'dreamtime stuff' and emphasized her right to answer questions.

> i think there are lots of things that happened in the 50s and 60s that would be inappropriate today
## Davidson on Coalition Removal
Davidson stated her party is the only one committed to removing the coalition government from power.

> i am one of the most powerful people standing here tonight being the only leader in the room committed to removing the anti-worker anti-environment harmful government
## Wong on Government Removal
Wong called Davidson's focus on government removal 'sad' and emphasized proactive policies over political bottom lines.

> how sad is it that our politics is in a state that a bottom line has to be getting rid of the government
## Davidson's Response
Davidson rejected Wong's criticism, stating the government cannot withstand another month or term.

> the people know that they cannot withstand another month let alone another term of this government
## Wong on Coalition Government
Wong stated the Greens are not proposing to prop up the coalition government.

> and we are not proposing to prop up this coalition government
## Debate Outcome
The debate highlighted tensions between political parties over gang engagement, housing policies, and government removal.
## Key takeaway

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson defended a candidate's gang pad visit during the election campaign while Act's David Seymour criticized it as sending the wrong message.