In this bonus episode, Katie Bradford and Thomas Coughlan regroup after an election night that had plenty of action but no clear result. 

In this bonus episode, Katie Bradford and Thomas Coughlan regroup after an election night that had plenty of action but no clear result.&nbsp;

Join Katie Bradford and some of New Zealand's sharpest political minds for an unfiltered chat about the people, policies and power plays shaping this year's campaign as we head towards Election 2026.

Visit the NZ Herald website or app for comprehensive coverage of Election 2026.

Join Katie Bradford and some of New Zealand's sharpest political minds for an unfiltered chat about the people, policies and power plays shaping this year's campaign as we head towards Election 2026.
Visit the NZ Herald website or app for comprehensive coverage of Election 2026.

Each Friday, NZ Herald Senior Political Reporter Thomas Coughlan covers off the biggest political news in New Zealand, going behind the headlines and giving the inside perspective direct from the Beehive, featuring interviews with politicians, press...

Election 2026: The Podcast

BONUS: The morning after the night before

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/021a2de6-35bf-4026-9abd-b4fc0180323b/transcript

The campaign is nearly over, but will we know who’s won on election night?

In the final pre-election episode of Election 2026: The Podcast, Katie Bradford is joined by campaign strategist and pollster Tim Hurdle and Herald deputy political editor Adam Pearse. They look at what the Michael Laws controversy could mean for New Zealand First, why Opportunity’s chances of clearing 5% matter, and which electorate races are worth watching on Saturday.

Plus, the panel looks back at the good, the bad and the ugly of the campaign, and explains why special votes could leave us waiting weeks to find out who’s in a position to form the next government.

The campaign is nearly over, but will we know who&rsquo;s won on election night?
In the final pre-election episode of Election 2026: The Podcast, Katie Bradford is joined by campaign strategist and pollster Tim Hurdle and Herald deputy political editor Adam Pearse. They look at what the Michael Laws controversy could mean for New Zealand First, why Opportunity&rsquo;s chances of clearing 5% matter, and which electorate races are worth watching on Saturday.
Plus, the panel looks back at the good, the bad and the ugly of the campaign, and explains why special votes could leave us waiting weeks to find out who&rsquo;s in a position to form the next government.

Could Opportunity fall short despite strong polling?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/358c7003-ee0b-4ec5-97ee-b4f9001211af/transcript

Could Christopher Luxon secure another term and still face a fight for his leadership?

Katie Bradford is joined by NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor and Tō Waha Media owner Carmen Parahi to discuss National’s polling, the power its coalition partners could wield and why cost of living concerns are getting lost in the campaign.

They also examine the fallout from Labour’s candidate controversy, the Māori electorate battles that could reshape Parliament, and concerns about voter enrolment and information at polling booths.

Could Christopher Luxon secure another term and still face a fight for his leadership?
Katie Bradford is joined by NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor and Tō Waha Media owner Carmen Parahi to discuss National&rsquo;s polling, the power its coalition partners could wield and why cost of living concerns are getting lost in the campaign.
They also examine the fallout from Labour&rsquo;s candidate controversy, the Māori electorate battles that could reshape Parliament, and concerns about voter enrolment and information at polling booths.

Could Luxon win the election and still lose the leadership?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/e8eebf24-000c-4a1e-a253-b4f300090907/transcript

Could New Zealand still be waiting for a government at Christmas? Katie Bradford is joined by Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan and political strategist Campbell Barry to examine Opportunity’s potential role as kingmaker and the promises that could unravel in coalition talks.

They also discuss the Power Brokers Debate, the Greens’ handling of gang engagement, business leaders’ political report cards and whether Chris Bishop can hold on in Hutt South.

Could New Zealand still be waiting for a government at Christmas? Katie Bradford is joined by Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan and political strategist Campbell Barry to examine Opportunity&rsquo;s potential role as kingmaker and the promises that could unravel in coalition talks.
They also discuss the Power Brokers Debate, the Greens&rsquo; handling of gang engagement, business leaders&rsquo; political report cards and whether Chris Bishop can hold on in Hutt South.

Could we be waiting until Christmas for a government? And is the gang debate over yet?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/88bcf6fe-9905-437b-9622-b4eb0020af6e/transcript

BONUS: The morning after the night before

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Election 2026: The Podcast

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