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Mood of the Boardroom results show a "tactical draw" between National, Labour

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Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 22 Oct 2026, 11:18am
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Barbara Edmonds and Nicola Willis speak at the Mood of the Boardroom. Photo / Michael Craig

Auckland Business Chamber CEO Simon Bridges says politically, the Mood of the Boardroom shows a "tactical draw" between National and Labour. 

The survey of business leaders shows dissatisfaction and a desire for more investment in infrastructure, reform, leadership and talk of productivity, Bridges told Ryan Bridge. 

"Because you'd expect, and they are in their numbers, the Nats as a centre right incumbent government to be higher up, I would sort of call it a tactical draw between the Nats and Labour when you look at this closely." 

Unease about "the tail wagging the dog" with minor parties gaining more power in the future government is also present. 

"This is a very small sliver of business. It's the top end of town, let alone it being the electorate... 

"They've got a very clear view about what they like. They tend to like stability, certainty, an incumbent government over change that might be messy and uncertain." 

The former National Party leader said no result in the upcoming election would surprise him. 

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