The Democracy Project

The Democracy Project

News Briefing

News Briefing: 29 September 2026

Bryce Edwards's avatar
Bryce Edwards
Sep 28, 2026
∙ Paid

ELECTION 2026: POLLS
Bryce Edwards (Democracy Project): Major parties in name only
1News: Poll: Greens surge to best result ever as National, Labour slide further
Thomas Coughlan and Chris Knox (Herald): Coalition loses advantage in poll of polls – change more likely than not (paywalled)
Karanama Ruru (Stuff): Greens surge to new high as Labour and National drop in latest poll
Julia Gabel (Herald): Green Party surges to record high in 1News Verian poll
Russell Palmer (RNZ): Left bloc may be able to form government latest poll suggests
Justin Hu (1News): ‘Pretty cool isn’t it’ - Party reacts to best-ever 1News poll result
Justin Hu (1News): The two ways of calculating seats for the 1News Verian poll
Russell Palmer (RNZ): ‘There’s a long way to go’ - ACT, Greens on gains in polling, and working with Opportunity

ELECTION 2026: STRATEGIC VOTING
Harriet Laughton (Post): ‘Insanely stupid idea’: Christopher Luxon warns against strategic voting (paywalled)
RNZ: ACT, NZ First hit back at National’s warning against ‘strategic voting’
Ryan Bridge (Newstalk ZB): What strategic voting will do
Peter Williams: Splitting your vote - It’s the only way
Toby Manhire (Spinoff): Winston Peters warms to overhang strategy: ‘You don’t just carry on with previous ways’

ELECTION 2026: CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES AND THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
The Post: Editorial – No new taxes, precious few new ideas (paywalled)
Kerre Woodham (Newstalk ZB): Both parties’ launches reeked of desperation
ODT: Editorial – The campaign (really) starts now (paywalled)
Audrey Young (Herald): Campaign launch showdown: Who made the biggest impact as Luxon, Hipkins get personal (paywalled)
Gordon Campbell: On The Flaccid Campaign Launches, And Despair Over Diesel Prices
Herald: PM Christopher Luxon speaks to Mike Hosking after National, Labour launch campaigns
Chelsea Daniels (Herald): What makes a political campaign work?
Adam Pearse (Herald): Christopher Luxon’s surprise McDonald’s mission and a positive ‘toot to finger’ ratio (paywalled)
Amber Allott (Press): Labour leader Chris Hipkins on the charm offensive in Christchurch (paywalled)
Emma Ricketts (Stuff): ‘I’m floored’: Hipkins stumped by question at ice cream shop
Stuff: ‘It’s a promo’: Winston Peters settles campaign video speculation
Lauren Crimp (RNZ): Christopher Luxon labels policy by potential coalition partner ‘madness’

ELECTION 2026: SUPERMARKETS
Danyl McLauchlan (Listener): National’s plan to intervene in the business of supermarkets reflects its desperation (paywalled)
Henry Cooke (Post): Sir John Key not sure if National’s supermarket split is right solution (paywalled)
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): Foodstuffs queries claim it could duplicate warehouses for $300m after break-up (paywalled)
Jamie Ensor (Herald): Act’s David Seymour warns politicians in ‘state of panic’ responding to cost-of-living woes
RNZ: ACT’s David Seymour slams ‘unethical’ promises to break up supermarket duopoly
Justin Hu (1News): ACT reveals supermarkets policy, decries ‘insane’ break-up proposals
Sam Smith (Stuff): ACT promises ‘one-stop shop’ to cut red tape for new supermarkets
Tom Pullar-Strecker (Post): ACT pitches label law overhaul to lure new supermarket operator (paywalled)
NBR: The Act Party’s plan to boost supermarket competition (paywalled)

The paywall now starts partway through all Democracy Project newsletters. Please take out a paid sub if you want to support this service and access the full content, including the following sections: LOBBYING, DONATIONS AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE; ELECTION 2026: ELECTORATE RACES AND CANDIDATES; PARLIAMENT, ELECTION AND GOVERNMENT; ELECTION 2026: STUDENT LOANS; ECONOMY AND BUSINESS; WORK AND PAY EQUITY; HOUSING; HEALTH; EDUCATION; MĀORI AND TREATY ISSUES; ENVIRONMENT AND PRIMARY SECTOR; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DEFENCE; CARTOONS

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