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Debate Schedule—October 2026
October will be a busy month for televised debates. Depending on the format, these events can range from exchanges of talking points and calculated attempts to score points to more thoughtful discussion of the issues. Note that in addition to these events hosted by the major news organisations, there are myriad other forums and debates involving party spokespeople organised by various groups, sometimes in partnership with media groups.
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June |
July |
Aug. |
Sept. | Oct. |
Nov. |
| Descriptions below are quotes edited
from news organisations' press releases. |
Stuff: Kingmakers. Featuring Act’s David Seymour; Chloe Swarbrick from The Greens; Opportunity’s Qiulae Wong; Te Pāti Māori and Shane Jones from New Zealand First. "Interactive polls, audience questions and panels from the country’s leading political insiders will drive online and in-audience engagement on the night of each debate, with moderation and analysis from journalists and Editors including Matthew Hooton; Jenna Lynch; Luke Malpass; Andrea Vance, Kamala Hayman and more...filmed in Stuff’s broadcast news studio and simultaneously livestreamed on stuff.co.nz, thepost.co.nz and thepress.co.nz."
Fri. October 2, 2026
Sat. October 3, 2026
Sun. October 4, 2026
Mon. October 5, 2026
Tues. October 6, 2026
TVNZ: Leaders Debate. "Q+A's Jack Tame will host the 1News Leaders Debate on October 6 featuring National’s Christopher Luxon and Labour’s Chris Hipkins and screened live on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+."
Wed. October 7, 2026
NZ Herald: The Future of New Zealand. Hosted by award-winning journalist and broadcaster Ryan Bridge, "with spokespeople from political parties on the crucial issues that will shape New Zealand's future. This important national conversation will also feature entrepreneurs, business leaders, and other influential voices to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead for the country. Live on the NZ Herald app and website, NZ Herald YouTube channel, Three and ThreeNow." ..."held in a purpose-built studio in front of live audiences at NZME Central in Auckland."
Thurs. October 8, 2026
Fri. October 9, 2026
Sat. October 10, 2026
Sun. October 11, 2026
Mon. October 12, 2026
Tues. October 13, 2026
TVNZ: Multi-Party Debate. "Breakfast presenter Tova O’Brien will moderate the live 1News Multi-Party Debate on October 13 at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+. The final party line-up will remain open until the week of the debate, reflecting TVNZ's political polls to determine which parties qualify.
The parties already qualified, based on recent poll results, are National, Labour, ACT, New Zealand First, the Green Party, Te Pāti Māori and The Opportunity Party."
Wed. October 14, 2026
NZ Herald: Leaders Debate. Hosted by award-winning journalist and broadcaster Ryan Bridge, "between National Party leader Christopher Luxon and Labour Party Leader Chris Hipkins. Live on the NZ Herald app and website, NZ Herald YouTube channel, Three, ThreeNow and simulcast on Newstalk ZB. It will be followed by a post-debate analysis show hosted by NZME senior correspondent Katie Bradford." ..."held in a purpose-built studio in front of live audiences at NZME Central in Auckland."
Thurs. October 15, 2026
Fri. October 16, 2026
Sat. October 17, 2026
Sun. October 18, 2026
Mon. October 19, 2026
Tues. October 20, 2026
Stuff: Leaders Debate. "with PM Christopher Luxon facing off against Chris Hipkins, giving New Zealanders the chance to make up their own minds on the major parties just 18 days before they cast their ballot... Interactive polls, audience questions and panels from the country’s leading political insiders will drive online and in-audience engagement on the night of each debate, with moderation and analysis from journalists and Editors including Matthew Hooton; Jenna Lynch; Luke Malpass; Andrea Vance, Kamala Hayman and more...filmed in Stuff’s broadcast news studio and simultaneously livestreamed on stuff.co.nz, thepost.co.nz and thepress.co.nz."
Wed. October 21, 2026
NZ Herald: The Powerbrokers' Debate. Hosted by award-winning journalist and broadcaster Ryan Bridge, "bringing together the leaders of the parties that will likely be part of coalition discussions in our MMP environment. Live on the NZ Herald app and website, NZ Herald YouTube channel, Three and ThreeNow." ..."held in a purpose-built studio in front of live audiences at NZME Central in Auckland."
Thurs. October 22, 2026
Fri. October 23, 2026
Sat. October 24, 2026
Sun. October 25, 2026
Mon. October 26, 2026
Tues. October 27, 2026
Wed. October 28, 2026
Te Ao Māori News: Māori Leaders’ Debate with Te Ao with Moana - "Party leaders and Māori candidates standing in general electorates discuss Māori aspirations and priorities within the wider national political landscape. The debate will be followed by a live He Aha Te Whakatau analysis special. Watch from 28 October at 7:00pm."
Thurs. October 29, 2026
TVNZ: Kaupapa Māori Debate. "The issues that matter most to Māori will take centre stage in the 1News: Kaupapa Māori Debate on October 29 at 7.30pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, hosted by Te Karere presenter Scotty Morrison and 1News Māori Affairs Correspondent Te Aniwa Hurihanganui."
Fri. October 30, 2026
Sat. October 31, 2026
November 2026
November 5, 2026
TVNZ: The Q+A People's Debate. "Two days before the General Election, The Q+A People’s Debate will pose voters’ questions directly to all the parties that have qualified under TVNZ’s debate criteria, including National and Labour. Moderated by Tame, this debate - the country’s final one of the campaign - airs on November 5 at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+."
Also note:
September 5, 2026 - The Q+A Rural Issues Debate, hosted by Jack Tame, took place at the Morrisonville Rugby and Sports Club before a live audience. Participating were NZ First's Mark Patterson, Greens' Steve Abel, National's Todd McClay, Labour's Jo Luxton, ACT's Andrew Hoggard, and Opportunity's Daniel Eb.
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Copyright © 2026 Eric M. Appleman/Democracy
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