Election 2026: The Front Bench

Election 2026 is set to be one of the most important in recent memory.  

To cut through the spin – join Newstalk ZB’s The Front Bench to get to the heart of the issues that matter most. 

Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Josie Pagani and Trish Sherson thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Election 2026. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated political discussion.  

Josie Pagani brings decades of political experience and insight, having worked across government, policy and communications. A respected political commentator and current Child Fund CEO, she offers a deep understanding of the forces shaping New Zealand politics and the decisions confronting voters.

Director of Sherson Willis PR, Trish Sherson draws on a career spanning politics, communications and business leadership. A former press secretary, she brings firsthand experience of how political decisions are developed, communicated and scrutinised, while her extensive governance and corporate affairs background provides valuable perspective on the real-world impact of policy.

And of course, you’ll get the best analysis from Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis Allan and Barry Soper.  

Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.  

Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and follow the podcast on iHeartRadio. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 

This week the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper.

Our expert panel discusses National’s warning that if it can’t get a suitable deal with New Zealand First and Winston Peters – it may lead to a second election.

They also chat about Act’s sizeable drop in the polls – and what’s leading driving their numbers down.

The experts dissect the electorates to watch - and chat both Sir John Key and Helen Clark getting involved in the campaign.

Plus, each will reveal their favourite policy of the campaign – and give their election night prediction.

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Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 

This week, the The Spinoff’s Editor-at-Large Toby Manhire steps in for Barry Soper.

Our expert panel discusses the call that this election campaign is being marred by violence and attacks across the political spectrum.

They also chat about Chris Hipkins’ Covid diagnosis and the implications that will have on the final fortnight of campaigning.

The experts dissect that interview with Winston Peters – and if that means National should re-think its stance to work with NZ First.

Heather asks the panel whether the rise in early voting will continue – and what that might mean for the result on October 14th.

Plus, they take a deep dive into the latest policy announcements – including the Greens’ universal student allowance and Labour’s supermarket pledge.

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Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 

This week, the Executive Director of the Taxpayer’s Union Jordan Williams steps in for Barry Soper.

Our expert panel discusses Christopher Luxon confirming he’ll form a Government with Winston Peters if he has to. Does it give New Zealand First more credibility? Could National lose support because of this?  

They also dissect Chris Hipkins getting into attack mode but ask, is it simply too late to make a difference in the polls?

Heather asks the panel what they made of the debates last week and whether they’ll change any minds.

Plus, they take a deep dive into the latest policy announcements – including National’s speed limits promise and Labour’s climate manifesto.  

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Every Monday until the election, The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 

This week, NZME Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie steps in for Barry Soper.

The panel discuss ACT’s campaign launch over the weekend and whether its focus on co-governance is a vote winner or loser.

They also chat about the hecklers and whether conspiracy theorists will continue to be a theme for the rest of the campaign.

Heather poses the question whether this is the most boring campaign since 2014 and whether the first Leaders debate will be worth a watch.

Plus, they take a closer look at Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s election manifesto and the Wellington Central race.

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Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 

The Act Party has thrown a potential cat amongst the pigeons by threatening it may only enter a confidence deal with National.

The panel discuss whether Chris Luxon is losing credibility.

Labour’s polling continues to plummet – is there anything the party can do to turn its fortunes around?

And the panel discuss the potential partners for both National and Labour post polling days.

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Every Monday until the election The Front Bench will take on the biggest talking points of the election campaign. Heather du Plessis-Allan, Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper, former Business NZ CEO Phil O’Reilly and Auckland Councillor Richard Hills have the insight word and analysis. 

The attack ads are already being published, with the CTU going after Chris Luxon on the front page of the Herald and on billboards across the country. Could this be the most negative campaign in recent memory? Is going negative an effective strategy?

All eyes this weekend were on Labour and National’s campaign launches – who had the better launch? And was it better for Chris Luxon to use his family, or for Chris Hipkins to involve former Prime Minister Helen Clark?

Labour has pledged to extend free dental care to those 29 and under by 2026. Is that good policy? Is it better than the pledge to slash GST off fruit and veg?

The campaign is already getting distracted by protests – should we get used to this over the coming weeks?

And the panel discuss what they think the main themes for Election 2023 will be.

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Election 2023 is set to be one of the most important in recent memory.  

To cut through the spin – join Newstalk ZB’s The Front Bench to get to the heart of the issues that matter most. 

Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Phil O’Reilly and Richard Hills thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Election 2023. There's no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated political discussion.  

Phil O’Reilly brings his vast business experience and acumen to the table as former Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, as well as being uniquely placed as someone at the leading edge of the global debate in his work as Paris-based Chair of Business at OECD. 

With climate change and local government being hot topics for Election 2023, Auckland councillor Richard Hills, who has led Auckland’s Climate Plan as well as been Chair of the Planning, Environment & Parks Committee, will provide insight into the inner workings of policy makers.

And of course, you’ll get the best analysis from Newstalk ZB’s Heather du Plessis Allan and Barry Soper.  

Whether it’s cost of living, education, curbing the rise of crime or how to get the teens off vaping, The Front Bench will examine the issues that Kiwis are talking about ahead of voting day.  

Listen live every Monday at 4pm on Newstalk ZB and subscribe to the podcast on iHeartRadio. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour's number two Kelvin Davis is getting strong backing for the job of Deputy Prime Minister, even from those in other political parties.
The Māori Party's Rawiri Waititi, who has very likely secured the party's comeback seat in Parliament, says he would expect "nothing less" than for Davis to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
Speaking of the wider Labour caucus, he says Māoridom will be expecting nothing less than for those MPs to get senior ministerial roles inside Cabinet.
"As te iwi Māori, they brought a huge contribution to the whole make-up of Labour and I commend them for that," he said.
"It is testament to the hard work they put in."
Davis wouldn't be drawn to an answer when asked about whether he's pushing for the deputy PM role.
"Those decisions are yet to be made," he told the Herald today.
"Ultimately, the Prime Minister will make the call. Her and I will have a discussion, but I'm not going to make a call or announcement right now."
Davis said the party was feeling "pretty upbeat" and proud after its landslide win.
Davis has his eyes on retaining the Corrections portfolio.
"I'd love to, if the Prime Minister allows it, to be the Minister of Corrections. We've got work to do still to improve outcomes in the justice sector for Māori. Māori education is still my big passion and the reason I entered politics."
Another win for Labour is the high number of Māori MPs - 15.
Davis says to have won so many Māori seats is "absolutely fantastic".
"It just shows that Māori have a voice in the Labour Party, with 15 Māori MPs representing the interests and needs of Māoridom," he says.
"It's wonderful to see the likes of Shanan Halbert win a general seat, as well as Jo Luxton, Kiritapu Allan, and Arena Williams. We're very proud of our efforts."
Davis says Labour's landslide win shows that people are "sick of the negative and nasty politics"."They like what the Labour party are offering; kindness, compassion, seeing those attributes as strength. I think the country is just looking for something different to what we've experienced over the previous decades."
Davis says he'd like to see the Government "up the number of partnerships" with Māori groups.
"With hapū, with iwi, to hear what their aspirations are, and to pull the lever as a Government and make those aspirations a reality."
He also has plans lined up to support kohanga reo, kura kaupapa and the wānanga.
Oranga Tamariki, housing and meth are also key issues.
"The cost of living, putting bread and butter on people's tables. We do have a recovery plan. We've already started rolling it out. People saw that we are a strong and stable Government and that we have a plan, and that's really a big part of the reason why we had such an emphatic victory on Saturday."
On his election night speech to introduce Jacinda Ardern - which turned out to be a rhyming speech attacking the National Party - Davis said he was "playing to the audience".
"As I've said, all the material was provided by the National Party. I was simply just holding a mirror up to everything that they had said, and their words and actions of the last six months."
Davis won the Te Tai Tokerau seat from Hone Harawira in 2014 and kept the seat this election in a battle against Māori Party candidate Mariameno Kapa-Kingi.
Former Labour Māori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels says he expected Kelvin Davis to become deputy Prime Minister, making the current Te Tai Tokerau MP the first Māori electorate representative to hold the role.
"I think this is an unprecedented mandate for Māori. I've never seen anything like it and I would expect Kelvin to be appointed the role."
Samuels, who was a Labour MP from 1996 to 2008 and held the Te Tai Tokerau seat for two terms, said with 15 Māori MPs he had never seen so much political representation in a single party for Māori.
He said the election...

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There are just five days to go until Election Day, and things are heating up on the campaign trail!
Tune in today for the final Front Bench - Heather du Plessis-Allan, Barry Soper, Trish Sherson and Chris Carter thrash out the big political issues in the lead up to Vote 2020. There is no holding back, no topic off limits, and no rules in this rapid-fire, highly opinionated election podcast.
In today's topics, National has gone hard on the possibility of a wealth tax under a Labour-Green Government. Labour continues to say it is not going to happen, but Greens co-leader James Shaw says let's wait until after the election. Who should voters believe? Does it come down to whether or not we believe the Greens will just roll over in order to be in Government?
It appears National's position is dire. They are struggling in the popularity column, with a drop in the last Colmar Brunton poll. Add to that the controversy surrounding the Ponsonby walkabout and the Denise Lee email that was leaked, to name a few. How much of it is leader Judith Collins' fault? Is this as bad as it gets for her chances on Saturday?
New Zealand has just signed the first deal with a pharmaceutical company for a Covid-19 vaccine. The deal will give us access to 1.5 million vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech, but it is an apparent move away from simply relying on the UN backed Covax-facility. Prime Minister Jacinda  Ardern has said in the past she is opposed to vaccine nationalism, but are we not doing exactly the same now? Does anybody think we shouldn't make our own deals - even at the expense of poorer countries?

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