# Election 2026 Powerbrokers Debate: NZ Party Leaders Clash > NZ First's Winston Peters, Greens' Marama Davidson, and Opportunity's Qiulae Wong debate coalition politics ahead of election. - Title: Election 2026 Powerbrokers Debate: NZ Party Leaders Clash - Summary: NZ First's Winston Peters, Greens' Marama Davidson, and Opportunity's Qiulae Wong debate coalition politics ahead of election. NZ party leaders debate… - Keywords: election, winston peters, marama davidson, qiulae wong, opportunity party, green party, new zealand first, coalition government, nz herald, politics, news, 2026 - Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-herald-powerbrokers-debate-winston-peters-david-seymour-marama-davidson-and-qiulae-wong/772YRVQARJHQFECRVBQL7YUDNM - Read time: 2 min - Topics: nz, election, winston peters, marama davidson, qiulae wong, opportunity party, green party, new zealand first, coalition government, nz herald, politics, news ## Powerbrokers Debate NZ First's Winston Peters, Greens' Marama Davidson, and Opportunity Party's Qiulae Wong debated coalition politics ahead of election 2026. > I don't come here to talk about private matters, do you mind? ## Davidson on Gang Pad Visit Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson defended visiting a gang pad during election campaign, saying 'ignoring problems doesn't make them go away'. > Ignoring problems doesn't make them go away ## Wong on NZ First Dominance Qiulae Wong said voters increasingly frustrated with NZ First 'dominating politics and calling the shots' in recent years. > dominating our politics and calling the shots ## Peters on Cabinet with Wong Winston Peters stated he couldn't imagine sitting in cabinet with Qiulae Wong in a future coalition government. > I can't. I've said so. ## Seymour's Debate Rating David Seymour called the debate 'the best so far' and wanted to debate National and Labour leaders next. > the best debate so far ## Davidson on Government Removal Marama Davidson said the government 'cannot withstand another month, let alone another term' and would be removed. > cannot withstand another month, let alone another term ## Wong on Coalition Government Qiulae Wong described Davidson's stance as 'amazing' and said their party wouldn't prop up the current coalition government. > amazing ## Peters on Private Life Winston Peters refused to discuss private matters, saying 'I don't come here to talk about private matters, do you mind?' > I don't come here to talk about private matters, do you mind? ## Seymour on Future Debates David Seymour expressed interest in debating National and Labour leaders when the networks invite all party leaders. > it'd be a good idea if the networks actually invited all of the leaders ## Wong on Party Vision Qiulae Wong described her party's vision as 'proactive policies that take our country forward' rather than removing the government. > proactive policies that take our country forward ## Davidson on Future Role Marama Davidson claimed she was 'one of the most powerful people' committed to removing the current government. > one of the most powerful people ## Peters on Debate Format Winston Peters praised the debate format as 'much better' compared to previous TVNZ debates. > much better format tonight ## Seymour on Policy Substance David Seymour noted the debate had 'greater policy substance' than previous leader debates. > greater policy substance ## Wong on Coalition Strategy Qiulae Wong stated her party would not join a coalition government with the current administration. > we are not proposing to prop up this coalition government ## Davidson on Voter Support Marama Davidson said the Greens' support was growing and they were polling closer to both National and Labour. > polling closer to both national and labour ## Peters on Coalition Realities Winston Peters dismissed the idea of coalition governments, saying 'it's not going to happen' with media support. > this idea that you can advertise and somehow the media will prop us up and get us there is not going to happen ## Key takeaway NZ party leaders debate coalition strategies as election approaches, with Davidson vowing to remove the current government.