Image: Tina Tiller
Image: Tina Tiller

PoliticsOctober 13, 2023

Election 2023: How we’re covering the big night

Image: Tina Tiller
Image: Tina Tiller

The what, where and when of election weekend on The Spinoff.

What started out looking like a straightforward and fairly one-sided election has turned into a many-headed monster, with Labour and National inching closer to each other and the minor parties growing in influence on each side. 

Here at The Spinoff, our plan was always to leave the squabbling to the politicians and instead focus on giving readers as much vital information as possible, with policy explainers, candidate profiles, balanced commentary and electorate profiles of the tight races. 

Thanks to the generous support of Spinoff Members, we were able to cover this election more expansively than ever before. We had writers travelling and reporting from Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, New Plymouth, Wairarapa, Gisborne, Auckland and Northland. 

And now, we’re on the home stretch and have a frankly massive election night planned on the site. Every writer will be on the tools, either reporting live from the various party events or covering the latest results from The Spinoff HQ. And once there’s a clear sense of where we stand at the end of the night, we’ll have a livestream panel dissecting all that’s happened, so you don’t have to.

What, where and when this weekend 

From 7pm on Saturday we’ll have reporters filing from across the motu. We’ll be tracking results and party vote totals. We’ll also bring you the lighter moments and the inevitable cornucopia of highlights from a big night of live television coverage.

The Gone By Lunchtime Election 2023 debrief livestream

After months of living and breathing this year’s election campaign, Gone By Lunchtime’s Toby Manhire, Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and The Bulletin editor Anna Rawhiti-Connell will discuss the events of election day. Toby will be fresh from a whirlwind tour of party events, while Anna and Mad will emerge from an evening immersed in election coverage. Together they’ll react to the day’s atmosphere, the surprise wins and the all-important snack offerings at the parties’ parties.

Go to The Spinoff YouTube channel after the main party speeches on election night to watch the livestream! Follow and hit the “notify me” button to get an alert when the livestream starts.

A special edition of The Bulletin and continuing coverage on Sunday

Anna Rawhiti-Connell will bring you a special election edition of The Bulletin on Sunday morning and we’ll have extended coverage and analysis throughout the day as the dust from the night before settles. If you’re not already a Bulletin subscriber, sign up now:

What about during the day on Saturday? 

In 2020, we showcased all kinds of dogs exercising their democratic right to accompany you as you exercise yours and we’d be barking mad not to do it all over again. On October 14 (or before if you’re voting early), please send us your photos of dogs at voting places around the motu (no humans please) to info@thespinoff.co.nz

Undecided? Curious? Looking for more?

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