In the second leader debate, Chris Hipkins went full-mojo against Christopher Luxon. Did it work for him, or did he overdo it? The NZ First leader wasn't there and yet he really was, after Luxon ruled him in at the start of the week. "I don't know him," professed Luxon of Peters, but will that wash? And what was the thinking behind the ruling-in, and why now. Annabelle Lee-Mather, Ben Thomas and Toby Manhire tackle all of that, and pick the stars and the flops across other debates of the last week, including the powerbrokers clash on Newshub Nation, and the young voter and kaupapa Māori debates on TVNZ.

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In the 12th and final hour of the Election 2023 Megapod, the Mount Rushmore of political podcasting returns and makes a desperate dash for the finish line. There is some discussion of polling and the campaign trail as it hits mid-point, but mostly it’s Annabelle pounding her chest and shouting, “there’s nothing left in here for you.” 

This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here.

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It’s getting late and unruly on the Election 2023 Megapod, and that means it’s time for The Real Pod’s Jane Yee and Duncan Greive to join Toby Manhire and Ben Thomas – as well as Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman – to remember The Worm, the strange and transformative graphic that once crawled across debate screens. The quintet then look back on key appearances by politicians on reality television. 

This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here..

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In an extended interview, Toby Manhire talks to Bernard Hickey about his life in media, politics and the economy. We also discover why Bernard has totally changed his approach to journalism. 

This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here.

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Ollie Neas of Policy.nz joins Toby Manhire to reflect on the history and purpose of New Zealand’s best policy comparison tool, how it works, and what it can tell us already about the parties’ priorities in this year’s election. 

This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here.

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As the second season of The Spinoff video series Youth Wings is released, two of the participants from the previous season join Toby Manhire to give their impressions of the new crop, reflect on responses to their own appearances three years ago, and reveal what they’re up to now. 

This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here.

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Despite a poll that put him in third place, Raf Manji insists that he can win the seat of Ilam and bring the Opportunities Party into parliament for the first time. 

This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here.

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How does Labour’s economic record stack up after six years? Toby Manhire talks to Grant Robertson about his approach to politics, memories of 2005, and whether he feels he’s achieved what he hoped for. 

This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here.

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Just how much power does the governor general wield, is David Seymour’s thought experiment of “confidence but no supply” plausible, and what would happen in a 60-seats-all tie? Constitutional expert Andrew Geddis joins Toby Manhire to chew through the scenarios. 

This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here.

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Act leader David Seymour explains why he thinks political dramas on television are a dangerous drug for politicians. Plus: does he want Act to “own” policy areas in a coalition, or to feed in across the board?

This is an excerpt from our day-long Election 2023 Megapod, recorded on September 20. Watch the full megapod livestream here.

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