A political commentator believes a lot of weight still sits with the undecided voter. 

Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins went head-to-head in the first main leaders debate last night. 

The TVNZ clash saw the pair tussle over tax, education, health, the cost of living, and crime in front of a studio audience of undecided voters. 

The audience gave Hipkins the win with 49% support to Luxon's 24%. 

But commentator Brigitte Morten told Andrew Dickens 27% percent were still undecided. 

She says we're only a couple of weeks out from voting opening, and for a lot of people there's a lot of soft vote. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A political commentator believes a lot of weight still sits with the undecided voter.&nbsp;
Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins went head-to-head in the first main leaders debate last night.&nbsp;
The TVNZ clash saw the pair tussle over tax, education, health, the cost of living, and crime in front of a studio audience of undecided voters.&nbsp;
The audience gave Hipkins the win with 49% support to Luxon's 24%.&nbsp;
But commentator Brigitte Morten told Andrew Dickens 27% percent were still undecided.&nbsp;
She says we're only a couple of weeks out from voting opening, and for a lot of people there's a lot of soft vote.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Brigitte Morten: Political Commentator unpacks the first leaders debate between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/198f4ce7-52df-4fce-aa4a-b4db01687335/transcript

Pressure's on the next government to keep the momentum going on business confidence. 

The NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows 40% of firms expect the economy to improve in the coming months. 

That's up from just 14% last quarter. 

Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens businesses want policies that lift productivity, and more certainty about what's ahead. 

She says they want to make sure they have access to the right people and compliance is reduced. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Pressure's on the next government to keep the momentum going on business confidence.&nbsp;
The NZIER's latest Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows 40% of firms expect the economy to improve in the coming months.&nbsp;
That's up from just 14% last quarter.&nbsp;
Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson told Andrew Dickens businesses want policies that lift productivity, and more certainty about what's ahead.&nbsp;
She says they want to make sure they have access to the right people and compliance is reduced.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Leeann Watson: Business Canterbury CEO on business confidence rising to 40% in the September quarter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/08aad34d-3196-4098-8ef7-b4db01671ede/transcript

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2026, political commentator Brigitte Morten tells Andrew who won the TVNZ leaders debate. 

Business confidence is rebounding as we head towards the election, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson explains why. 

National’s promising to cut foreign aid to pay for new medicines, if it leads the next government, Chief Executive of Medicines New Zealand Graeme Jarvis shares his thoughts. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK’s main Opposition party has pledged to invest £10bn in a new missile and drone defence system to defend the UK if they win the next general election and Trump has said the US moved its bombers out of RAF Fairford in the UK because of "some threats" to the base. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast 2026, political commentator Brigitte Morten tells Andrew who won the TVNZ leaders debate.&nbsp;
Business confidence is rebounding as we head towards the election, Business Canterbury CEO Leeann Watson explains why.&nbsp;
National’s promising to cut foreign aid to pay for new medicines, if it leads the next government, Chief Executive of Medicines New Zealand Graeme Jarvis shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on the UK’s main Opposition party has pledged to invest £10bn in a new missile and drone defence system to defend the UK if they win the next general election and Trump has said the US moved its bombers out of RAF Fairford in the UK because of "some threats" to the base.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 07 October 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4ce563cf-ead6-4b41-a943-b4db011d0ec2/transcript

There's potential for a positive ripple effect as National pledges to boost medicine funding. 

The party's announced it'll cut 10% of the foreign aid budget, using the savings to increase Pharmac's budget by $604 million.  

It would also introduce new cancer cell therapy and lower the bowel screening age to 50 by 2029.  

Medicines NZ CEO Graeme Jarvis told Andrew Dickens medicine's an important part of any health system. 

He says they help with productivity within hospitals, and help with patient outcomes. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

There's potential for a positive ripple effect as National pledges to boost medicine funding.&nbsp;
The party's announced it'll cut 10% of the foreign aid budget, using the savings to increase Pharmac's budget by $604 million. &nbsp;
It would also introduce new cancer cell therapy and lower the bowel screening age to 50 by 2029. &nbsp;
Medicines NZ CEO Graeme Jarvis told Andrew Dickens medicine's an important part of any health system.&nbsp;
He says they help with productivity within hospitals, and help with patient outcomes.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Graeme Jarvis: Medicines NZ CEO on National pledging to boost medicine funding

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cb3f3399-a747-4d1e-8b92-b4db011a37a1/transcript

Brigitte Morten: Political Commentator unpacks the first leaders debate between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins

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