All aboard the bus: National hits the road as election race heats up

The National Party is launching its Campaign Bus today as it swings into full pre-election mode. 

Leader Christopher Luxon is scheduled to speak in Auckland at 11.30am, with time afterwards for media questions. A livestream will appear above. 

He’s not the only one hot on the campaign trail. 

It’s understood Labour leader Chris Hipkins will also be rubbing shoulders with voters this afternoon. 

NZ First leader Winston Peters is meeting with Auckland businesses, while Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick held a media standup at her Auckland Central Campaign Office this morning to discuss issues of the day. 

The Green Party is expected to make its transport policy announcement tomorrow. 

The Act Party will officially launch its election campaign at 1pm tomorrow at Big Shed on Cain Rd, Auckland. 

National and Labour officially kicked off their election campaigns in Auckland last week, providing an insight into the parties’ priorities ahead of the election. 

At the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Auckland central, Christopher Luxon and his National crew, including former Prime Minister Sir John Key, pushed the message of “no new taxes” and argued Labour was lean on ideas to take New Zealand forward. 

Further south at the Due Drop Event Centre in Manukau, Chris Hipkins unveiled a Labour policy to wipe 10% of student loan debt and attacked National for what he said were lies about his party’s tax intentions. 

Yesterday National announced a nine-point energy plan its energy spokesperson Simeon Brown said would “make it easier for households to connect rooftop solar and sell it into the grid” if the party came into pwoer again. 

On Thursday Labour revealed its plan to ban “hidden fees” with new consumer protections. 

The new rules included banning “junk” car insurance, such as paint insurance or mechanical breakdown cover “that excludes almost everything” as well as making it easier for people to cancel subscriptions, with online cancellations for services.