Stuff, NZME and Sky unveil 2026 election coverage

Aotearoa media companies Stuff, NZME and Sky have all announced their plans to cover the lead up to the 2026 General Election, as well as the day itself.

Stuff’s Aotearoa Decides coverage will run across its website, The Post, The Press and 6pm’s ThreeNews. Similarly, NZME will deliver coverage across its various platforms, including NZ Herald, Herald Now, Newstalk ZB, BusinessDesk and its regional newsrooms.

Sky has partnered with both companies to deliver a programme of political debates and live coverage from election night on November 7.

Two debates for Stuff

Stuff’s coverage will kick off with two debates. These will be filmed in its broadcast news studio, and livestreamed across the Stuff website as well as The Post and The Press websites. The first, held on October 1, will feature the Kingmakers: The Greens’ Chloe Swarbrick; Opportunity’s Qiulae Wong; Act’s David Seymour; Te Pati Māori; and Shane Jones from New Zealand First.

The second, on October 20, will be the Leaders’ Debate, featuring prime minister and National Party leader Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins.

On the night of these debates, Stuff will run interactive polls, audience questions and panels with political insiders. Moderation and analysis will be provided by journalists and editors including Matthew Hooton, Jenna Lynch, Luke Malpass, Andrea Vance and Kamala Hayman.

Unmissable coverage

After polls close on November 7, Stuff and ThreeNews will deliver a live special hosted by Samantha Hayes and Paddy Gower, run in partnership with Sky. Journalists including Rebecca Wright, Lloyd Burr, Lisette Reymer, Zane Small and Amelia Wade will also report in from towns and cities across the country.

Stuff owner and publisher Sinead Boucher says the combined power of Stuff, ThreeNews, The Post and The Press’ teams, with the largest and most experienced group of political editors, journalists and commentators, will make Stuff’s coverage unmissable.

“It already feels like the election campaign is off and roaring amid the tightest of races and with so much at stake for New Zealanders,” she says. “We’ve designed our Aotearoa Decides election coverage to bring the voice of the people right into every debate and interview, as nothing matters more for everyday Kiwis than choosing who will lead New Zealand over the next three years.”

Fair contest of ideas

NZME’s debate series will also be run in partnership with Sky. The first one, held on October 7, invites spokespeople from political parties to discuss the issues that will shape Aotearoa’s future. It will also include entrepreneurs, business leaders and other influential voices to discuss current opportunities and challenges.

The second debate, held on October 14, will also be a Leaders’ Debate. Featuring Luxon and Hipkins, it will be followed by a post-debate analysis show hosted by NZME senior correspondent Katie Bradford.

One week later, on October 21, NZME and Sky will broadcast their third debate featuring the leaders of the parties that are likely to be involved in coalition discussions.

All three debates will be held in a purpose-built studio in front of live audiences at NZME Central in Tāmaki Makaurau and will be hosted by broadcaster and journalist Ryan Bridge.

Bridge says audiences can expect a fresh, fast-paced and fair contest of ideas: “There’s no doubt this is a tight race with minor parties likely to have a significant influence on who gets the keys to the Beehive’s ninth floor. This is a chance for New Zealanders to watch the leaders interact live and unedited at a crucial point in the campaign.”

NZ Herald’s head of video strategy Sarah Bristow says: “The debate series will play a defining role in the lead-up to the election and reflect our ambition to showcase important conversations across multiple platforms. In Ryan Bridge we have one of the country’s sharpest interviewers and these premium, live events will be a must-watch for voters, bringing them closer to the people and ideas shaping New Zealand’s future.”

Important and compelling

Alongside the debates, NZ Herald reporters including Thomas Coughlan, Audrey Young, Katie Bradford, Fran O’Sullivan, Adam Pearse, Shayne Currie and Derek Cheng will be out taking the pulse of the nation.

The Herald’s coverage also includes a Poll of Polls powered by a new statistical model, plus video explainers and premium analysis. Its interactive policy grid provides party policy information, with quick comparisons in an easy-to-read format each time a new position is announced. The results can even show voters who they might want to vote for based on individual political preferences.

Business journalist Liam Dann will lead a panel of economic experts assessing whether the parties’ promises will be good for the country’s future.

On election night, the NZ Herald and Herald Now will run a video broadcast, along with interactives, minute-by-minute updates and a live blog, with reporters embedded at key seats nationwide. Mike Hosking and Heather du Plessis-Allan will also headline Newstalk ZB’s election night special, with political commentators and experts joining as guests.

BusinessDesk is working with MYOB to host an election debate between the major parties’ finance leaders at NZME’s iHeart Lounge on October 2. Its coverage will dig into policy and the implications for New Zealand businesses, including canvassing CEOs and directors on what they want from the incoming government – and who they think should be appointed ministers.

NZME chief content officer (publishing) Murray Kirkness says: “NZME’s political news coverage, along with unparalleled commentary and opinion, will of course continue up to and beyond election night. The debates will be an important and compelling way to host a contest of ideas. And our election-night coverage will be as wide-ranging and comprehensive as New Zealanders have come to expect.”

Audio coverage

NZME’s coverage will also span radio and its news platforms like NZ Herald and BusinessDesk. Newstalk ZB will provide commentary and analysis led by hosts including Mike Hosking, Kerre Woodham and Heather du Plessis-Allan.

• The Mike Hosking Breakfast will host the Leader of the Opposition on October 27, the leaders of the minor parties on October 29 and the prime minister on November 2, from 7am to 9am.
• Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive will run The Front Bench on October 5, October 12, October 19, October 26 and Monday, November 2 from 4pm to 5pm featuring Barry Soper, Trish Sherson and Josie Pagani.
• du Plessis-Allan will also host the Great Primary Sector Debate on September 30 in association with Federated Farmers, which will be livestreamed on the NZ Herald app and website, and the NZ Herald YouTube channel.
• Woodham will host talkback with the leaders while they are out on the campaign trail.
• The Country with Jamie MacKay will carry regular interviews with the leaders.

Newstalk ZB head of talk Will Maisey says the station is excited about its election plans and what it will deliver to audiences.

“Our hosts and guests are experienced, passionate, credible and trusted. ZB listeners expect us to ask the right questions and we’ll be doing that throughout the campaign.”

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