# Election 2026: Experts Crown Winner of Herald Powerbrokers' Debate

> Winston Peters wins Herald Powerbrokers' debate as experts rate four leaders' performances.
- Title: Election 2026: Experts Crown Winner of Herald Powerbrokers'…
- Summary: Winston Peters wins Herald Powerbrokers' debate as experts rate four leaders' performances. Winston Peters was crowned the winner of the Herald Powerbrokers'…
- Keywords: election 2026, herald powerbrokers debate, winston peters, david seymour, marama davidson, qiulae wong, nz first, green party, opportunity, move on law, minimum wage, māori issues
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-our-experts-pick-who-won-the-herald-powerbrokers-debate/premium/5PKI6MYDBRBKTO64XO3LDI5ORM
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: election 2026, herald powerbrokers debate, winston peters, david seymour, marama davidson, qiulae wong, nz first, green party, opportunity, move on law, minimum wage, māori issues
## Debate Overview
Winston Peters, David Seymour, Marama Davidson, and Qiulae Wong competed in the Herald's Powerbrokers' debate on October 21, 2026.

> Winston Peters, David Seymour, Marama Davidson and Qiulae Wong have gone head-to-head in the Herald’s Powerbrokers’ debate.
## Audrey Young's Verdict
Audrey Young, NZ Herald senior political correspondent, crowned Winston Peters as the winner for his strong performance, humor, and originality.

> Each of the four leaders did extremely well, for one reason or another, but Winston Peters did best overall.
## Peters' Strengths
Peters delivered strong messages, humor, and unique insights on Māori issues, including the truth about gangs and abuse in the Māori community.

> In the Māori world, about which some of us know something, we know that our people are guilty of calling their womenfolk and children a taonga and then abusing them massively.
## Seymour's Approach
David Seymour focused on consensus-building, policy details, and the End of Life Choice Bill, showing a statesman-like position.

> He was able to set his party apart from some of his partners’ policies without giving the impression he was directly attacking his colleagues.
## Davidson's Strategy
Marama Davidson shifted from combative to conciliatory after last week's debate, focusing on helping people turn their lives around.

> She struck a more conciliatory and reasoned tone about wanting to help people turn their lives around for the better.
## Wong's Position
Qiulae Wong emphasized Opportunity's left-leaning policies on climate and tax, while criticizing Davidson's focus on removing the government.

> It should be about pro-active policies that take our country forward.
## Peters vs. Wong Dynamic
Peters and Wong engaged in a competitive exchange, with Peters calling Wong's ideas 'dreamtime stuff' and Wong challenging his experience.

> I think there are lots of things that happened in the 50s and 60s that would be inappropriate today.
## Seymour's Balance
Seymour successfully balanced promoting past achievements with identifying areas for improvement without alienating coalition partners.

> He was able to walk a line between championing what the Government’s done in the past three years while identifying what he thought could be done better.
## Key Debate Moment
Peters admitted to getting 'a few smackings' as a child, prompting Wong to comment on historical context and inappropriate practices.

> I think there are lots of things that happened in the 50s and 60s that would be inappropriate today.
## Debate Outcome
The debate highlighted the competitive dynamics between Peters and Wong while Seymour maintained a middle-of-the-road approach that could appeal to voters seeking stability.

> He was able to set his party apart from some of his partners’ policies without giving the impression he was directly attacking his colleagues.
## Key takeaway

Winston Peters was crowned the winner of the Herald Powerbrokers' debate by NZ Herald experts, who praised his strong performance and unique insights on Māori issues.