2026 Final Leaders Debate Breakdown: Does Christopher Luxon Dominate Chris Hipkins?
Duncan Garner - Editor In ChiefShow Notes
Christopher Luxon came out firing in the third leaders' debate, delivering a surprisingly dominant performance against Chris Hipkins. Joined by Taxpayers' Union director Jordan Williams and commentator Annie O'Brien, Duncan Garner dissects the key moments from the night, including the latest 1 News-Verium poll showing National at 32%.
We break down the fiery exchanges over health workforce numbers, inflation, classroom building costs, and the controversial $2.7 million government funding given to the Mongrel Mob under Labour. Plus, we discuss whether Hipkins went too far with his aggressive approach, if The Opportunities Party holds the balance of power, and how the recent Green Party gang pad visits are impacting voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from Duncan Garner - Editor In Chief
The country's top business leaders have delivered a brutal verdict, leaving Christopher Luxon outside the government’s top 10 ministers again. These are his people, and they do not rate him. Plus, if Luxon refuses to pick up the phone to Keeler Wong post-election, will National MPs axe him? We look at the mounting pressure on the Prime Minister. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chris Hipkins is rewriting history to cover his back after Labour MPs met up with the Mongrel Mob. Trying to pin $2.75 million of gang funding on John Key is cobblers when Labour ministers signed off the paperwork. Plus, NZ First’s Shane Jones joins us after visiting the Santana gold mine site to explain why fast-tracking growth matters and why DOC needs a complete shake-up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To vote in this election, you need to be enrolled by midnight this Sunday, October 25th. Miss the deadline, and you cannot vote; you will be completely shut out. Chris Hipkins is calling National reckless, accusing them of changing the rules to disenfranchise thousands. Is it sour grapes, or has the government made it harder for regular Kiwis to exercise their democratic right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We are in the final stretch of the election and it is looking like the tightest race in decades. ACT leader David Seymour joins us live to break down his party's $400 million health policy, primary care funding, cutting the public service, and why he refuses to hand over Epsom. Plus, Ashley Church and Maurice Williamson join the panel to crunch the numbers on our latest poll of polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike King sits down with Duncan Garner for a deeply personal, wide-ranging yarn about where he has been and where he is headed. From his early years in a gang to navigating late puberty, school failure, and complex family dynamics, Mike opens up about the moments that shaped him. We dive into why so many Kiwi kids feel lost today, the truth about youth mental health, and what Gumboot Friday is really fighting for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices