PATTRICK SMELLIE: The first leaders’ debate changes nothing

PATTRICK SMELLIE: The first leaders’ debate changes nothing
Pattrick Smellie
Rarely in the last 40 years has a general election felt such a fait accompli as this one, and none so much as this one since the introduction of MMP voting in 1996.Last night’s first television debate between the Labour and National Party leaders, Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins, changed nothing.The scene was set by a poll that puts Labour at 48 percent support – a sizeable slip from the 53 percent achieved seven weeks ago in the last One News-Colmar Brunton poll – but still capable of producing a majority government without...

More Opinion

Your mid-year investment health check
Markets

Simon Robertson: Your mid-year investment health check

What should you really be looking for from your fundie? 

Simon Robertson 05 Jul 2025
Cleantech: Burst bubble or our biggest opportunity?
Opinion

Peter Griffin: Cleantech: Burst bubble or our biggest opportunity?

A thriving cleantech sector could be NZ’s ticket to a sustainable, high-value economy.

Peter Griffin 02 Jul 2025
Why luxury needs a wake-up call
Opinion Fashion

Eden Bradfield: Why luxury needs a wake-up call

The focus should be on selling consumers a lifestyle, not just status symbols. 

Eden Bradfield 01 Jul 2025