Image: Chris Hipkins takes the stage during the TVNZ Leaders Debate, pressing Christopher Luxon across a series of exchanges as the two leaders faced sustained questioning under the lights. Hipkins repeatedly engaged directly with his opponent while Luxon referred to notes during parts of the debate. (TVNZ / Leaders Debate 2026) 
Image: Jillaine Heather, Executive Director of the Free Speech Union, leads the organisation’s strategy, advocacy and campaigning work. Her leadership also brings focus to serious questions around the union’s supposed political neutrality, internal balance and public accountability. (File. / Courtesy of the Free Speech Union) Editor’s picks
Image: Academic Mohan Dutta’s argument is that “civility” can function as a form of control, especially when those with institutional power decide how dissent should sound. In his view, demands for restraint can blunt anger, urgency and moral force before criticism is allowed into the public sphere. (Supplied / Mohan Dutta)
2
Get Election26 update alerts
Estimated House Seats
Projected House seats from the latest reviewed party-vote poll. This is a polling estimate, not an official election result.
Recent polls
RNZ-Reid Research
National’s path to power narrows in new poll
RNZ-Reid Research party vote: Labour 30.8%, National 25.9%, Green 14.8%, New Zealand First 10.6%, ACT 9.0%, Opportunity 5.5%, Te Pāti Māori 2.0%. Published 120-seat projection: Labour 37, National 32, Green 18, New Zealand First 13, ACT 11, Opportunity 7, Te Pāti Māori…
RNZ-Reid Research
Poll says Māori are turning to the Greens for their party vote
Latest published party-vote snapshot: Labour 27%, Green 27%, Opportunity 27%, National 11%, ACT 4%, New Zealand First 2%, Te Pāti Māori 2%. Check the linked poll report for fieldwork dates, sample size and methodology.
Latest polling shows recent published snapshots first. Party rows use a fixed display order for consistency, while the actual highest figure is explicitly marked in each card. Historical polling remains in the separate history card; compare fieldwork dates and methodology before drawing conclusions.
Enrolment snapshot
General-electorate and Māori-electorate enrolment data, refreshed from the Electoral Commission’s monthly statistics.
General electorate roll
Māori electorates
People of Māori descent can choose the general roll or Māori roll when eligible to change roll type. This panel shows the Electoral Commission’s Māori-electorate enrolment total.
Key dates
Enrol by midnight Sunday 25 October 2026. Advance voting starts Monday 26 October. Election day is Saturday 7 November, with voting places open from 9am to 7pm.
Enrol or update your detailsYour two votes
Under MMP you get a party vote for the party you want represented in Parliament and an electorate vote for the local candidate you want to represent your electorate.
Electoral Commission voting guideWhere to vote
You can vote before election day or on election day. Check your electorate and use the Electoral Commission’s voting information as voting places are published.
Find your electorateOverseas or need help?
Overseas voting opens Wednesday 21 October. The Electoral Commission also provides voting support for people who need assistance or cannot easily get to a voting place.
The Evidence Gap: David Seymour’s numbers don’t add up
David Seymour presented a series of figures as evidence ACT is delivering for New Zealand. This report examines those claims against Ministry of Education, Treasury and Reserve Bank evidence, including school lunch performance, the claimed $57,000 saving for ACT voters, and assertions around inflation and interest rates.
Emergency and Crime
Advertisement
Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles from thisquality free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉
Smears and Strategy: Ray Chung
Image: Wellington City Councillor Ray Chung, who has been linked to an assault allegation that remains unproven as Police withhold CCTV footage and officer notes related to the incident outside the 1841 Bar and Restaurant. Questions remain about what the footage shows and why the incident was characterised by Police as “not as reported.” (Supplied) 
Exposé Investigative Series by Samuel Hudson
Samuel Hudson takes viewers behind the headlines in the Exposé Investigative Series. A hard-hitting look at the stories that powerful interests would rather keep quiet. From political misconduct to corporate cover-ups, Hudson follows the evidence with persistence and commitment to public accountability.
Series description: Each exclusive episode and article unpacks the layers of influence shaping New Zealand’s institutions revealing how decisions made behind closed doors impact the lives of ordinary people. Drawing on interviews, documents, and first-hand reporting, Hudson’s work combines rigorous journalism with a clear-eyed pursuit of truth.
*This content is available in video/article format, hosted on thisquality
Because sunlight is still the best disinfectant.
Image: The Waihopai satellite communications station in Marlborough. The facility sits at the intersection of intelligence sharing, international security cooperation, and New Zealand's role within the Five Eyes partnership, themes that increasingly overlap with the strategic direction outlined in the Government's $12 billion Defence Capability Plan. (Supplied / Daniel Town) 
Advertisement
Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉
Exposé Investigative Series
by Samuel Hudson
Samuel Hudson takes viewers behind the headlines in the Exposé Investigative Series. A hard-hitting look at the stories that powerful interests would rather keep quiet. From political misconduct to corporate cover-ups, Hudson follows the evidence with persistence and commitment to public accountability.
Series description: Each exclusive episode and article unpacks the layers of influence shaping New Zealand’s institutions revealing how decisions made behind closed doors impact the lives of ordinary people. Drawing on interviews, documents, and first-hand reporting, Hudson’s work combines rigorous journalism with a clear-eyed pursuit of truth.
*This content is available in video/article format, hosted on thisquality
Because sunlight is still the best disinfectant.
Image: The Waihopai satellite communications station in Marlborough. The facility sits at the intersection of intelligence sharing, international security cooperation, and New Zealand's role within the Five Eyes partnership, themes that increasingly overlap with the strategic direction outlined in the Government's $12 billion Defence Capability Plan. (Supplied / Daniel Town)
Want your Creator Panel here? Click to apply!
Want your Creator Panel here?
Click to apply!
We invite brands and creators who want to connect with audiences across New Zealand to take advantage of this dedicated Creator Panel.
A fully customised Creator Panel can showcase content in a way that feels meaningful and engaging while aligning naturally within our content hub platform and its readership community. With reach that extends right across the country, from major cities to local communities, our audience represents a unique blend of interests, creating an environment where authentic stories and compelling ideas genuinely resonate rather than simply being glanced over.
Positioning content here is an opportunity to speak directly to a highly engaged audience that values original perspectives, offering not just visibility but real connection with people who care about what they read and share. This is a space designed for creators*, writers* and brands* looking to build presence, shape conversation, and be part of a wider narrative that reflects New Zealand’s culture making it an ideal Panel* to elevate and extend reach in a meaningful way.
*This content is available in video/article format, hosted on thisquality
We invite brands and creators who want to connect with audiences across New Zealand to take advantage of this dedicated Creator Panel.
A fully customised Creator Panel can showcase content in a way that feels meaningful and engaging while aligning naturally within our content hub platform and its readership community. With reach that extends right across the country, from major cities to local communities, our audience represents a unique blend of interests, creating an environment where authentic stories and compelling ideas genuinely resonate rather than simply being glanced over.
Positioning content here is an opportunity to speak directly to a highly engaged audience that values original perspectives, offering not just visibility but real connection with people who care about what they read and share. This is a space designed for creators*, writers* and brands* looking to build presence, shape conversation, and be part of a wider narrative that reflects New Zealand’s culture making it an ideal Panel* to elevate and extend reach in a meaningful way.
*This content is available in video/article format, hosted on thisquality
Paul the Other One by Paul Barlow
This Week’s The News is a weekly current affairs series hosted by political commentator and filmmaker Paul Barlow that takes a sharp, media-literate look at the stories shaping New Zealand’s political and cultural landscape.
Series description: Each episode breaks down the week’s headlines through a critical lens, examining not just what is being reported, but how and why those narratives are constructed. Barlow interrogates framing, spin, and agenda-setting across mainstream media, politics, and online discourse.
*This content is available in video format, hosted on thisquality
Advertisement
Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉
Advertisement
Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉
Advertisement
Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉
Advertisement
Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉
Advertisement
Advertisement Why this ad? Advertising revenue keeps articles free to read. Ads are personalised by Google, not us. Thank you for your support! 🎉