TVNZ has unveiled its comprehensive election campaign coverage, including live leaders debates and the interactive Vote Compass tool to help Kiwis track the parties’ key policies.
The coverage will also feature a new weekly politics vodcast, Tame and Tova, hosted by Q+A’s Jack Tame and Breakfast presenter Tova O’Brien.
The pair will offer a fresh take and analysis of the week’s political talking points on TVNZ+ and other podcast platforms from October 1.
O’Brien and Tame will also moderate live debates during the campaign.
This Sunday, Q+A features a special regional-focused debate from Morrinsville, giving provincial Kiwis the opportunity to put the issues that matter most to their communities front and centre.
Live debates
TVNZ will host a total of four live election debates, giving voters the opportunity to hear directly from the country’s political leaders. These will also feature real-time interactive features, allowing audiences to share their reactions and perspectives on the candidates and issues shaping the election.
Tame will host the 1News Leaders Debate on October 6 featuring National’s Christopher Luxon and Labour’s Chris Hipkins and screened live on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
O’Brien will moderate the live 1News Multi-Party Debate on October 13 at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
The final party line-up will remain open until the week of the debate, reflecting TVNZ's political polls to determine which parties qualify.
The parties already qualified, based on recent poll results, are National, Labour, ACT, New Zealand First, the Green Party, Te Pāti Māori and The Opportunity Party.
The issues that matter most to Māori will take centre stage in the 1News: Kaupapa Māori Debate on October 29 at 7.30pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, hosted by Te Karere presenter Scotty Morrison and 1News Māori Affairs Correspondent Te Aniwa Hurihanganui.
Two days before the General Election, The Q+A People’s Debate will pose voters’ questions directly to all the parties that have qualified under TVNZ’s debate criteria, including National and Labour.
Moderated by Tame, this debate - the country’s final one of the campaign - airs on November 5 at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ will also stream the ASB Great Debate on October 14, hosted by the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Jack Tame, and featuring the top six polling parties’ finance spokespeople.
Vote Compass
Vote Compass - the online tool which helps Kiwis see how their views line up with party policies - returns from October 4.
Used by more than 700,000 people in the last campaign, Vote Compass allows for a personalised guide to the political landscape.
The interactive feature is delivered by 1News in partnership with Vox Pop Labs and New Zealand political scientists.
Election night special
On November 7, Jack Tame and Tova O’Brien lead coverage as the results come in, joined by ACT candidate Paul Henry and Labour MP Willie Jackson and a panel of experts.
1News' election night team includes Scotty Morrison and Te Aniwa Hurihanganui, Senior Political Reporter Benedict Collins, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger and Business Correspondent Jason Walls reporting live from across the country They will bring viewers the latest developments, reactions and interviews from the night's winners and losers.
The 1News: Your Vote 2026 Election Night Special airs from 7pm across TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, with live results available throughout the night on 1News.co.nz.
Live captioning will feature across broadcast debates and the election night special provided by Able, TVNZ’s accessibility partner.
The morning after
On Sunday November 8 from 7.30am on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, Tagata Pasifika kicks off the day’s political round-up, followed by a two-hour Q+A special at 8am with Jack Tame.
He’ll break down the post-election developments and interview those in line to form the next government. Then from 10am, Marae will focus on what the election results mean for Māori.
TVNZ Chief News and Content Officer Nadia Tolich said the extensive campaign coverage reflected the broadcaster’s commitment to trusted journalism.
“Combining authoritative reporting with innovative multiplatform coverage, we’ll help audiences navigate the issues and decisions that will shape the country’s future, while offering fresh, accessible ways to join the conversation.”
SHARE ME