Labour leader Chris Hipkins secured 49% support from a studio audience of undecided voters following a fiery TVNZ leaders debate against Christopher Luxon, who drew 24% backing as the two clashed over tax, the cost of living, and trust.
Moderated by Jack Tame, the 90-minute broadcast brought together Christopher Luxon and opposition leader Chris Hipkins just a month out from the November 7 general election. Supporting Luxon on the sidelines were deputy chief press secretary Jasmine Higginson and policy director Joe Ascroft, alongside Chris Bramwell, Hipkins’ chief of staff, who entered during select commercial pauses.
At the conclusion of the evening, 49% of the panel backed Hipkins, compared with 24% for Luxon, while 27% remained undecided, according to 1News polling of the studio group.
Those figures moved from earlier in the night, when about two-thirds of the panel initially favored Hipkins before the margin narrowed to 56% to 44% at the halfway mark. Commentator Brigitte Morten noted that 27% percent were still undecided following the event. While the leaders traded sharp exchanges on policy records and political integrity, an audience of nearly 100 undecided voters registered a strong preference for the Labour leader.
Leaders Clash Over Living Costs and Tax Reform
In the event of sustained high fuel costs, both political chiefs indicated they would prolong the temporary $50 Working for Families tax credit. Economic pressures dominated much of the exchange, with both leaders pressed on major fiscal commitments.
Luxon repeatedly accused Labour of making unfunded promises. While both figures concurred that the existing tax framework lacks equity, their proposed remedies for achieving fairness diverged significantly.
Minor Parties Shape Election Math
Fresh polling published ahead of the broadcast showed National and Labour running neck-and-neck. The debate unfolded against the backdrop of shifting voter alignment.
Luxon has previously ruled out working with Opportunity due to its land tax policy, while declining to answer whether he would take a phone call from the party if required to form a government, dismissing the scenario as a hypothetical. Under New Zealand’s MMP voting system, minor parties have gained influence, raising the prospect of a multi-party coalition following the November vote.
Debate Turns to Race and Foreign Policy
On education, Luxon accused Hipkins of a great flip-flop
for now backing the school cell phone ban which his Government had instituted. The debate grew contentious as the leaders debated government performance, race relations, and international conflicts.
Hipkins referenced the national reaction following the March 15th mosque attacks, noting that the country responded with dignity and with grace
. Asked if he personally believed that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, Hipkins said: There is an unfolding genocide taking place in Gaza.
Foreign policy also entered the exchange when the leaders faced questions regarding the conflict in Gaza.
Regarding the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, Luxon said he thought there were very serious questions, and again, we should be guided by the ICC (International Criminal Court) and the ICJ (International Court of Justice).
Hipkins added: I believe there's a case for them to answer on that, yes.
“If you want to uphold the rules-based system, you have to respect the rules-based system.”
Christopher Luxon, National leader
With Luxon backing the All Blacks to win next year’s Rugby World Cup and Hipkins declaring “up the Wahs” in support of the Warriors, the pair handled a quickfire round covering public fireworks sales, artificial intelligence regulation, and sports allegiances in lighter moments. Jack Tame was a finalist in 2025 for Political Journalist of the Year at the Voyager Media Awards.
How will the remaining undecided voters break before November 7?