Chris v Christopher: Round one

07 Oct 2026

Politics

Now You Know, season two, episode 59

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Robbie Nicol sums up the highlights from the first major leaders’ debate of the campaign.

Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins met on the TVNZ stage last night for the first major leaders’ debate of this campaign.

Two polls released the same day set the scene; RNZ-Reid Research put National at 25.9%, down 3.2 points since August and its weakest result since 2020. Labour fell 1.4 points to 30.8% – its third consecutive decline. The 1News-Verian poll told a similar story: National up one to 29%, Labour steady on 28%.

Directed, filmed and edited by Isaiah Tour.
Written and presented by Robbie Nicol.
Made with the support of NZ On Air.

Episodes

An abstract orange background with cut-out black-and-white images of Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon in front, and then Robbie Nicol in front of that.

Chris v Christopher: Round one

A collage of black-and-white images including: Brooke van Velden, Robbie Nicol, the Equal Pay Act 1972 and historical photos of New Zealand in the 1970s.

The history of pay equity in Aotearoa

A cut-out black-and-white image of Robbie Nicol holding a jar of diesel fuel, and Donald Trump. Text on top of the image reads, "How diesel is about to make the cost of living worse".

How diesel is about to make the cost of living worse

Cut-out black-and-white images of incumbent Labour MP Helen White, list MPs Melissa Lee of National and Ricardo Menéndez March of the Greens, Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong, NZ First’s Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri and Act’s Alex Price over an orange background. Text on top reads, "Why is the Mt Albert electorate so important this election?"

Why is the Mt Albert electorate so important?

A black-and-white cut-out image of Robbie Nicol holding up a report.

What is the Official Information Act and is it working?