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TVNZ
4 September 2026
TVNZ unveils election campaign
coverage,
new vodcast Tame and Tova
TVNZ has unveiled its comprehensive election campaign
coverage, including live leaders debates and the
interactive Vote Compass tool to help Kiwis track the
parties’ key policies.
The coverage will also feature a new weekly politics
vodcast, Tame and Tova, hosted by Q+A’s Jack Tame and
Breakfast presenter Tova O’Brien.
The pair will offer a fresh take and analysis of the
week’s political talking points on TVNZ+ and other
podcast platforms from October 1.
O’Brien and Tame will also moderate live debates during
the campaign.
This Sunday, Q+A features a special regional-focused
debate from Morrinsville, giving provincial Kiwis the
opportunity to put the issues that matter most to their
communities front and centre.
Live debates
TVNZ will host a total of four live election debates,
giving voters the opportunity to hear directly from the
country’s political leaders. These will also feature
real-time interactive features, allowing audiences to
share their reactions and perspectives on the candidates
and issues shaping the election.
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+.
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.
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.
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+.
TVNZ+ will also stream the ASB Great Debate on October
14, hosted by the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce and
moderated by Jack Tame, and featuring the top six
polling parties’ finance spokespeople.
Vote Compass
Vote Compass - the online tool which helps Kiwis see how
their views line up with party policies - returns from
October 4.
Used by more than 700,000 people in the last campaign,
Vote Compass allows for a personalised guide to the
political landscape.
The interactive feature is delivered by 1News in
partnership with Vox Pop Labs and New Zealand political
scientists.
Election night special
On November 7, Jack Tame and Tova O’Brien lead coverage
as the results come in, joined by ACT candidate Paul
Henry and Labour MP Willie Jackson and a panel of
experts.
1News' election night team includes Scotty Morrison and
Te Aniwa Hurihanganui, Senior Political Reporter
Benedict Collins, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger and
Business Correspondent Jason Walls reporting live from
across the country They will bring viewers the latest
developments, reactions and interviews from the night's
winners and losers.
The 1News: Your Vote 2026 Election Night Special airs
from 7pm across TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, with live results
available throughout the night on 1News.co.nz.
Live captioning will feature across broadcast debates
and the election night special provided by Able, TVNZ’s
accessibility partner.
The morning after
On Sunday November 8 from 7.30am on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+,
Tagata Pasifika kicks off the day’s political round-up,
followed by a two-hour Q+A special at 8am with Jack
Tame.
He’ll break down the post-election developments and
interview those in line to form the next government.
Then from 10am, Marae will focus on what the election
results mean for Māori.
TVNZ Chief News and Content Officer Nadia Tolich said
the extensive campaign coverage reflected the
broadcaster’s commitment to trusted journalism.
“Combining authoritative reporting with innovative
multiplatform coverage, we’ll help audiences navigate
the issues and decisions that will shape the country’s
future, while offering fresh, accessible ways to join
the conversation.”
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