The Media Insider in the Weekend Herald contained a list of the election debates, when they would be held and who of the left-wing media (Newstalk ZB being the exception) stars would be hosting them. I will reference them in the latter part of the article so those with a masochistic streak can diarise them. I question whether we even need them and how many will actually watch them. If you are after a dose of fiction there are plenty of good books on offer. That to me is a preferable and more relaxing pastime.
I openly admit to being a political tragic but at the same time I’m not sure I want to watch two other political tragics haranguing each other on television in a so called leaders’ debate. Public opinion tells us they are not highly regarded as leaders. There are differences though when it comes to the reasons why. The bald-headed gentleman (liberal and labour lite) has at least accrued some business experience, which is essential when dealing with the economy. The one sporting a head of hair could probably only point to buying a bottle of milk from the corner dairy as his engagement in matters of a business nature. Exchanging a few coins hardly cuts the economic mustard.
A debate between the two women finance ministers might be interesting, as they appear to have different formulas for getting the books back into surplus. Nicola Willis has the country back in surplus in the 2028/9 year whereas Barbara Edmonds is looking at a year later. I somewhat rate Edmonds in the role but I think any good intentions will be undone by the party’s ‘tax and spend’ policies. Edmonds pointed out recently that “you can’t cut your way to prosperity” (in reference to the government’s cuts). Memo to Barbara: you can’t tax and spend your way to it either. In my view the shears need to come out because there’s a lot more pruning to be done.
Looking at the moderators, they are, as you would expect, mainly left-leaning. I say mainly because Ryan Bridge is in the mix and I regard him as overall ‘centre-right’. Others in the television debates include Jack Tame, Tova O’Brien and Paddy Gower. I am not a huge fan of Tame although he did do a good job interviewing Qiulae Wong recently. People, other than political tragics, probably find him relatively harmless. The same cannot be said of Tova O’Brien’s interviewing style. She comes across more like a ferocious feline going in for the kill. The claws are out and the hissing is unmistakable.
I watched her interviewing David Seymour on racial equality. She started off by breathlessly listing all the areas where Māori are supposedly in more need of help than anyone else. Seymour tried to start answering, but no, on she went. Starting to answer again he was further interrupted: “I could go on all day,” she said. Finally being allowed to answer, he calmly told her that under equality everyone is treated the same. Any Māori who needed extra help would get it. A perfectly sensible answer but she wasn’t having any of it. This type of idiotic interviewing style is completely counterproductive. It’s no wonder Breakfast only attracts 78,000 aged 25 to 54.
Regarding Paddy Gower – we all know he has issues. He hosts a programme with that very title. Although, according to the Media Insider he did a stellar job in 2023. I must have been reading at the time. Apologies to Paddy.
I think the interviewer who will garner the most useful information from a debate will be Ryan Bridge. His interviewing style is firm without being overly combative. Mike Hosking (who some might argue is far right), as he usually does, is hosting a series of leaders breakfasts from 7–9am. They could be worth a listen.
The reasons for my saying the debates are maybe not needed is, first, half of what is promised never happens and a whole lot of stuff you weren’t told about does. That is why a book of fiction is a more satisfying proposition. Second, the choice is obvious. You might think the government has come up short but just look across to the rabble on the other side and there’s your answer. I think that’s what most level-headed voters will do, and thankfully they are still in the majority, no matter what the polls say. I think the question is not who will win but rather by how much. ACT and NZ First will determine that.
Here is the information on the debates provided by the Media Insider.
Thursday October 1 – Stuff debate featuring politicians from the minor parties. ACT’s David Seymour, NZ First’s Shane Jones, Greens’ Chlöe Swarbrick, one co-leader from Te Pāti Māori and Opportunity’s Qiulae Wong. Jones/Swarbrick interactions could be entertaining.
- Tuesday October 6 – TVNZ’s main leaders debate moderated by Jack Tame.
- Wednesday October 7 – Herald/Three debate hosted by Ryan Bridge ‘The Future of New Zealand’, featuring politicians, entrepreneurs, business leaders and other influential voices.
- Tuesday October 13 – TVNZ’s multi-party debate moderated (?) by Tova O’Brien, featuring all minor parties in parliament plus Opportunity. Opportunity is living up to its name and getting plenty, thanks to a misguided and adoring media. If there’s one to miss this is it.
- Wednesday October 14 – NZ Herald/ZB/Three debate moderated by Ryan Bridge. Bridge said of his 90-minute debate, “Audiences can expect a fresh, fast paced and fair contest of ideas.” Sounds good. The debate will be followed by a post-debate analysis hosted by Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford.
- Tuesday October 20 – Stuff debate featuring a potpourri of broadcasters and journalists including Paddy Gower (likely moderator) Luke Malpass and Samantha Hayes. Looks like a leftie love-in to me.
- Wednesday October 21 – Herald/Three debate hosted by Ryan Bridge. ‘The Powerbrokers Debate’, featuring ACT’s David Seymour, NZ First’s Winston Peters, the Green’s Marama Davidson, one of the two leaders from Te Pāti Maori and Opportunity’s Qiulae Wong.
- Tuesday October 27 – First leaders’ breakfast hosted by Mike Hosking featuring Chris Hipkins.
- Thursday October 29 – Second leaders’ breakfast featuring leaders of the minor parties (30 minutes each)
- Monday November 2 – Third leaders’ breakfast featuring Christopher Luxon.
I think the best election analyses will probably come from the likes of Duncan Garner and those on the Platform. Happy viewing and listening everyone.
