TVNZ’s Election 2026 Coverage

From the campaign trail to election night and beyond, TVNZ’s 1News: Your Vote 2026 will deliver comprehensive, multiplatform coverage of the people, policies and pivotal moments that will define this year’s election.

Led by Q+A and 1News at Six presenter Jack Tame and Breakfastpresenter Tova O’Brien, alongside the expertise of the 1News team, 1News: Your Vote 2026 will include live debates, on-the-ground reporting, in-depth analysis and real-time results, giving New Zealanders everything they need to stay informed throughout the campaign.

TVNZ’s Chief News and Content Officer, Nadia Tolich says, “1News: Your Vote 2026 reflects our commitment to trusted journalism and ensuring the voices and perspectives of New Zealanders are heard throughout the election campaign.

“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.”

Weekly Vodcast – Tame and Tova:

Launching six weeks ahead of the election, Tame and Tova is a new weekly vodcast hosted by award-winning journalists Jack Tame and Tova O’Brien.

Together they’ll offer a fresh take on the week’s biggest political stories, unpacking the headlines and breaking down what they mean for New Zealanders. Tame and Tova will be available from 1 October on TVNZ+ and other podcast platforms.

Live Debates:

TVNZ will host four live election debates, giving voters the opportunity to hear directly from the country’s political leaders while engaging in the conversation themselves.

Through real-time interactive features, audiences can share their reactions and perspectives on the candidates and issues shaping the election.

The 1News: Leaders Debate will see Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins go head-to-head in primetime for the first time this election campaign.

Moderated by Jack Tame, the debate airs on 6 October at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, giving voters the opportunity to see the leaders of the country’s two largest parties contest the issues face-to-face.

Tova O’Brien will moderate the live 1News: Multi-Party Debate on 13 October at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.

With the smaller parties poised to play a pivotal role in forming the next government, the debate will be a crucial moment in the campaign. The final line-up will be confirmed in the week of the debate following TVNZ’s qualifying polls.

The issues that matter most to Māori will take centre stage in the 1News: Kaupapa Māori Debate on 29 October, 7.30pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.

Te Karere presenter Scotty Morrison and Māori Affairs Correspondent Te Aniwa Hurihanganui will co-host the debate, bringing their expertise to this important discussion.    

Two days before the General Election, the The Q+A People’s Debate will put New Zealanders’ questions directly to all the parties that have qualified under TVNZ’s debate criteria, including National and Labour.

Moderated by Jack Tame, the country’s final debate airs on 5 November at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+. Every question will come from the New Zealand public, giving voters a final opportunity to hear parties respond directly to the issues that matter most to them before election day.

1News: Your Vote 2026 Election Night Special:

On November 7, Jack Tame and Tova O’Brien will lead TVNZ’s election night coverage, joined by insiders Paul Henry and Willie Jackson and a panel of experts from across the political spectrum to deliver real-time analysis, reaction and insight as the results come in.

As the race to form the next government unfolds, 1News’ election team, including Scotty Morrison and Te Aniwa Hurihanganui, Senior Political Reporter Benedict Collins, Political Reporter Sophie Trigger, and Business Correspondent Jason Walls, will report live from across the country, bringing viewers the latest developments, reactions and interviews from the night’s winners and losers.

1News: Your Vote 2026 Election Night Special will air at 7pm across TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+. Live results will also be available throughout the night on 1News.co.nz.

The Morning After:

On Sunday 8 November, 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.

Accessibility:

New Zealand’s deaf and hard of hearing communities will have access to TVNZ’s election coverage. Live captioning will feature across broadcast debates and the 1News: Your Vote 2026 Election Night Special provided by Able, TVNZ’s accessibility partner.

In partnership with Deaf Aotearoa, New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreted versions of the broadcast debates will be shown live on Kordia channel 200 also. This programme will offer Picture in Picture (PIP), with experienced interpreters shown as the primary image on screen alongside TVNZ 1’s live coverage. Signed Debates will be available on TVNZ+ following the broadcast, and on the Deaf Aotearoa website.

Vote Compass: 

Vote Compass returns for Your Vote 2026 on 4 October, helping New Zealanders cut through the noise and better understand where they sit on the issues shaping the election. Used by more than 700,000 people in the last campaign, the interactive tool allows users to compare their views with party policies, providing a personalised guide to the political landscape. Vote Compass is delivered by 1News in partnership with Vox Pop Labs and New Zealand political scientists.

Other content highlights:

Q+A will head to Morrinsville on 6 September for a special regional-focused debate, giving provincial New Zealanders the opportunity to put the issues that matter most to their communities front and centre. Hosted by Jack Tame, the debate will explore the challenges and opportunities facing the regions ahead of election day.

TVNZ+ will also stream the ASB Great Debate on 14 October, hosted by the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce in partnership with ASB. Moderated by Jack Tame, the debate will see the finance spokespeople of the top six polling parties discuss the economic issues shaping New Zealand’s future.