Revised Debate dates:
TVNZ’s Debate line-up and moderators remain the same, with broadcast dates shifting by a month to align with the General Election.
- The first live Leaders’ Debate takes place between Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins on 22 September at 7pm on TVNZ 1. This will be moderated by John Campbell.
- The Young Voters Debate in association with the University of Auckland takes place on 28 September. This debate will be moderated by Jack Tame and streamed via 1news.co.nz and 1 NEWS social channels.
- The Multi-Party Debate will take place on 8 October at 7pm on TVNZ 1. This Debate will be moderated by Jessica Mutch McKay
- The final Leaders’ Debate airs on 15 October at 7pm on TVNZ 1. This Debate will also be moderated by Jessica Mutch McKay.
Several 1 NEWS Colmar Brunton polls will be released during this period, giving viewers insight into where voters are leaning.
Election night coverage and additional programming:
There is no change to TVNZ’s 1 NEWS Vote 20 Election Night Special. This will be hosted in studio by John Campbell, Hilary Barry and Simon Dallow, with the 1 NEWS political team led by Jessica Mutch McKay crossing live from party bases.
Supporting programming from 1 NEWS, Te Karere, Q+A, Marae, Tagata Pasifika, Sunday and Re: also remains unchanged.
As advised, Debates and Election night coverage on TVNZ 1 will carry closed captions provided by TVNZ’s accessibility partner, Able. In partnership with Deaf Aotearoa’s iSign interpreting service, a New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreted version of the three televised debates will be broadcast live on Kordia channel 200.