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

Could the 2026 election be a make or break moment for MMP? 

With National and Labour neck and neck and Opportunity potentially holding the balance of power, forming the next government could be anything but straightforward. 

Katie Bradford is joined by Infrastructure New Zealand's Nick Leggett and Financial Services Council CEO Kirk Hope to dissect the latest leaders' debate, the growing influence of smaller parties and whether politicians can finally agree on the future of superannuation.

Could the 2026 election be a make or break moment for MMP? With National and Labour neck and neck and Opportunity potentially holding the balance of power, forming the next government could be anything but straightforward. Katie Bradford is joined by Infrastructure New Zealand's Nick Leggett and Financial Services Council CEO Kirk Hope to dissect the latest leaders' debate, the growing influence of smaller parties and whether politicians can finally agree on the future of superannuation.

Is MMP facing its biggest test yet? Plus the retirement age debate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cda6dd7e-6a88-4064-9f7f-b4e4000fdd7c/transcript

Could National return to government and still lose some of its biggest names?

Former Labour leader and Auckland mayor Phil Goff joins Katie Bradford and NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor to unpack the campaign’s latest twists—from the risk facing National’s senior list MPs to the promises that could disappear during coalition negotiations.

They also dissect the leaders’ debate, Labour’s handling of its landlord tax policy and National’s proposed foreign aid cuts. Plus, Goff reflects on facing John Key across the debate stage—and the panel considers what could decide this closely fought election.

Could National return to government and still lose some of its biggest names?
Former Labour leader and Auckland mayor Phil Goff joins Katie Bradford and NZ Herald chief political reporter Jamie Ensor to unpack the campaign&rsquo;s latest twists&mdash;from the risk facing National&rsquo;s senior list MPs to the promises that could disappear during coalition negotiations.
They also dissect the leaders&rsquo; debate, Labour&rsquo;s handling of its landlord tax policy and National&rsquo;s proposed foreign aid cuts. Plus, Goff reflects on facing John Key across the debate stage&mdash;and the panel considers what could decide this closely fought election.

Could National win the election and lose its biggest names?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2001d084-e709-4ee8-83e7-b4dd000ca7ef/transcript

One NZ CEO Nick Judd and AUT AI expert Dr Mahsa McCauley discuss some of the upsides of AI. Brought to you by One NZ.

One NZ CEO Nick Judd and AUT AI expert Dr Mahsa McCauley discuss some of the upsides of AI. Brought to you by One NZ.

Beyond the risks, what opportunities does AI offer? - Future of NZ Debate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c092409d-32db-449d-9727-b4dd00126ce2/transcript

Crimson Education's Jamie Beaton on how we can build world-class universities in NZ. Brought to you by One NZ. 

Crimson Education's Jamie Beaton on how we can build world-class universities in NZ. Brought to you by One NZ.&nbsp;

Can we have a Harvard in the Hutt? Jamie Beaton says yes - Future of NZ Debate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f305f143-9ba9-4745-a72c-b4dc0098a4cf/transcript

The parties share their plans for where NZ's future jobs will come from. Brought to you by One NZ.

The parties share their plans for where NZ's future jobs will come from. Brought to you by One NZ.

What's the industry of the future for New Zealand? - Future of NZ Debate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3805d9d8-7c2a-4d47-bdb5-b4dc0098a4d3/transcript

Tamatha Paul shared her thoughts on TikTok and explains further during the Future of NZ debate. Brought to you by One NZ.

Tamatha Paul shared her thoughts on TikTok and explains further during the Future of NZ debate. Brought to you by One NZ.

How rich is too rich? - Future of NZ Debate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5468387c-a90e-41eb-8365-b4dc0098a4d1/transcript

Tamatha Paul and Shane Jones share their views on AI 

Tamatha Paul and Shane Jones share their views on AI&nbsp;

'We don't need to be afraid of it, and it can be helpful, but…' - Future of NZ Debate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/291e2811-c3d1-48ff-9404-b4dc0098a4d1/transcript

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

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