Ani O'Brien: Hipkins launches Labour's gaslighting election campaign

An election-year address that only works if New Zealanders have collective amnesia

ANNOUNCED TODAY : GENERAL ELECTION 2026 IS ON SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER

Chris Hipkins’ caucus-retreat speech was intended to signal renewal, momentum, and hope. Instead it revealed a Labour Party still unwilling to take responsibility for the impact of its time in government and one willing to engage in historical revisionism. Hipkins’ speech was not a forward-looking address about what Labour would do differently. It was an exercise in proportioning blame, deflection, and narrative laundering.

Jason Walls: Surprised the leaders’ debate was a snoozefest? You haven’t been paying attention

The first televised leader’s debate of the 2023 election campaign proved that blue paint dries slightly faster than red paint.  

Political editors and commentators broadly agreed that Chris Luxon was the winner, in what was probably the most lacklustre debate in more than a decade.  

There was no instantly iconic “show me the money,” or “this stardust won't settle” line from either of the Chrises – and certainly no “my husband is from Samoan, so Talofa”.  

Barry Soper: As the week has progressed, so have the porkies from Labour

They've been out on the hustings for a week now and there are a couple of things that have stuck in my craw.

As the week's progressed so have the porkies, coming from the self-proclaimed most kind, transparent Government we have ever experienced. Labour cares about wellbeing and it's become apparent that applies only to themselves in their desperation to retain the baubles of office.

Kate Hawkesby: The whole lead-up to the election so far feels a bit low rent

So a weekend chocka of political campaigning as the parties hit the ground running in the lead-up to the election.  

I don’t know about you but I’m finding the whole lead-up so far a bit low rent. As in, a lot of gutter politics, name-calling, misinformation tactics, and a lot of needless disruption and chaos. And I reckon that puts voters off, so I’m not sure why political parties do it. 

It has the opposite effect of engaging people, I think what it does is make people think they’re all a bunch of clowns and they don’t want to vote for any of them.

Kate Hawkesby: Hipkins has no choice but to keep showing up

I’m thinking the people we should be feeling most for this election campaign are the government’s security detail.

Judging by the Prime Minister’s outing to Otara markets in South Auckland over the weekend, it could be a rough old time on the hustings. Bear in mind, this is South Auckland, Labour territory. The PM was not wandering through Fendalton or Remuera. He was in an area which should have his back, but not this time.

Mike Hosking: How much of a role will the conspiracists play in this election?

The good thing for David Seymour last week is he got a full house in Lincoln, just outside of Christchurch.

My sense of this election year is that a lot more will be involved and keen to participate.

The most dangerous thing about a democracy is when people can't be bothered. I think the results in some local body contests is teaching us that.