Political commentators Neale Jones and Brigitte Morten join Kathryn to talk about how much is riding on the first big leaders' debate, happening this Tuesday night. With more people casting early votes, how important do these early campaign meet-ups become? The PREFU is out, what are the implications for parties' spending promises? National is under growing scrutiny over its tax package, where are Act's candidates disappearing to and is a New Zealand First comeback a sure thing? Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital. Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government, a National Party member and currently volunteering for the party's deputy leader, Nicola Willis.

Political commentators Neale Jones and Brigitte Morten join Kathryn to talk about how much is riding on the first big leaders' debate, happening this Tuesday night.

With more people casting early votes, how important do these early campaign meet-ups become? The PREFU is out, what are the implications for parties' spending promises? National is under growing scrutiny over its tax package, where are Act's candidates disappearing to and is a New Zealand First comeback a sure thing?

Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital.

Brigitte Morten is a director with public and commercial law firm Franks Ogilvie and a former senior ministerial advisor for the previous National-led government, a National Party member and currently volunteering for the party's deputy leader, Nicola Willis.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details