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Barry Soper: There weren't any 'gotcha' moments in the debate

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 7 Oct 2026, 5:16pm
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1 News Leaders debate on TVNZ between Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins. 6 October, 2026 Photo supplied by TVNZ photo credit Harley Peters

National's Chris Luxon and Labour's Chris Hipkins went head-to-head last night in the first main leaders debate of the campaign.

Taxes, education, health, the cost of living, and crime were among the issues discussed in front of a studio audience of undecided voters.

Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper recapped the debate and noted that Luxon ruled out working with Opportunity again - but it's unclear how it could really go ahead of the election. 

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