National's not announcing any changes to the team, as parties tee-up political campaigns.

The Prime Minister's confirmed a November 7 date for this year's general election - speaking from National's annual caucus retreat in Christchurch.

Chris Luxon says any members retiring will announce it themself, and he doesn't feel compelled to reshuffle for the sake of it.

Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Luxon will be hoping for the economic recovery to be more noticeable by the time the voting booths open up.

LISTEN ABOVE

National's not announcing any changes to the team, as parties tee-up political campaigns.
The Prime Minister's confirmed a November 7 date for this year's general election - speaking from National's annual caucus retreat in Christchurch.
Chris Luxon says any members retiring will announce it themself, and he doesn't feel compelled to reshuffle for the sake of it.
Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says Luxon will be hoping for the economic recovery to be more noticeable by the time the voting booths open up.
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Azaria Howell: Newstalk ZB reporter on Prime Minister Chris Luxon confirming the election date

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/eed1e99c-a0e1-498a-9ed4-b3d9004deb82/transcript

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!

We've finally got an election date - it's November 7th. Who do we think will win at this stage? Any other predictions? 

New data shows 65 percent of Kiwis want to ban under-16s from social media. Will this be a vote winner this election cycle? 

LISTEN ABOVE

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&amp;A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
We've finally got an election date - it's November 7th. Who do we think will win at this stage? Any other predictions?&nbsp;
New data shows 65 percent of Kiwis want to ban under-16s from social media. Will this be a vote winner this election cycle?&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

The Huddle: What are we predicting ahead of the 2026 election?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/221e7776-0c95-4a7a-aeb9-b3d90071cc32/transcript

So we've got an election date, and it's the date pundits have been picking since late last year - November 7th.

This election is National's to lose. The only question really is how much influence ACT and or New Zealand First will have in any future Government.

Don't get me wrong - it'll be a close race.

Here's some easy picks - National will get more votes than Labour, New Zealand First will outperform ACT, New Zealand First will steal from Labour and nip at their heels, Te Pati Māori's reputation is already in the bin so the Māori seats are anyone's guess at this point.

And Winston Peters, as always, will decide who actually wins the election. He's ruled out working with Chippy but not Labour.

Here's the crucial point. Winston Peters cannot, politically, enter a deal propped up by or supported by the Greens or Te Pati Māori. In pretty much every poll this term, Labour has needed both of them to get close to the magic 61 seats.

Now, you could argue that National might stumble and Labour could surge. But the chances of this happening - I would put at around 20-30 percent. So very unlikely.

The economic recovery's underway. Summer will be round the corner come November. But most importantly, people won't switch horses mid-stream when that recovery has been so hard fought.

The memory, particularly in Auckland, is too short for voters to forget about Labour's Covid mess and unbridled spending on outrageous and expensive things.

Chris Hipkins today also announced a date - his wedding. He says it'll be held in 2027. That means Toni is likely going to marry an unemployed bloke from the Hutt.

LISTEN ABOVE

So we've got an election date, and it's the date pundits have been picking since late last year - November 7th.
This election is National's to lose. The only question really is how much influence ACT and or New Zealand First will have in any future Government.
Don't get me wrong - it'll be a close race.
Here's some easy picks - National will get more votes than Labour, New Zealand First will outperform ACT, New Zealand First will steal from Labour and nip at their heels, Te Pati Māori's reputation is already in the bin so the Māori seats are anyone's guess at this point.
And Winston Peters, as always, will decide who actually wins the election.&nbsp;He's ruled out working with Chippy but not Labour.
Here's the crucial point. Winston Peters cannot, politically, enter a deal propped up by or supported by the Greens or Te Pati Māori.&nbsp;In pretty much every poll this term, Labour has needed both of them to get close to the magic 61 seats.
Now, you could argue that National might stumble and Labour could surge. But the chances of this happening - I would put at around 20-30 percent. So very unlikely.
The economic recovery's underway. Summer will be round the corner come November.&nbsp;But most importantly, people won't switch horses mid-stream when that recovery has been so hard fought.
The memory, particularly in Auckland, is too short for voters to forget about Labour's Covid mess and unbridled spending on outrageous and expensive things.
Chris Hipkins today also announced a date - his wedding. He says it'll be held in 2027.&nbsp;That means Toni is likely going to marry an unemployed bloke from the Hutt.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Ryan Bridge: Is this National's election to lose?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f15ac166-8000-49bd-a319-b3d9006ee9e5/transcript

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21 January.

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 21 January. 
Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Full Show Podcast: 21 January 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0ac0a1b6-fb8a-4a0b-8a88-b3d9006634d8/transcript

Azaria Howell: Newstalk ZB reporter on Prime Minister Chris Luxon confirming the election date

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