Election 2026 as It Happened 20 Oct: Luxon and Hipkins Face Off in Final Leaders' Debate

Who won the debate? Our experts pick which leader triumphed in third clash

Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins have gone head-to-head in Stuff’s leaders’ debate. Our experts rate their performances – and crown a winner. Verdict: A...

The Stuff leaders' debate had two losers: Christopher Luxon and Ryan Bridge

Paddy Gower’s restrained moderation made Ryan Bridge’s debate look worse in hindsight. Luxon, meanwhile, floundered under the relentless no-ad format.

Fact-checking Hipkins and Luxon in the final leaders' debate of the 2026 election

Newsroom's independent fact-check of the final leaders' debate has identified the misleading and false statements made by Luxon and Hipkins.

5 explosive moments from the final Chris clash, and what it tells us about the leaders

National leader Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins faced off for one last time, in an explosive leaders’ debate. Here’s everything you need to know.

Election 2026 as it happened 20 Oct: Luxon and Hipkins face off in final leaders' debate

The two leaders faced off in the final leader's debate this evening, after another busy day out on the campaign trail, including two new polls that have Parliament on knife-edge, with the Opportunity party narrowly making it in as kingmaker.

Is NZ's health system in crisis? Luxon and Hipkins clash in leaders’ debate

Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins clashed over who was responsible for the “crisis” facing New Zealand’s healthcare system amid growing fears about how much more pressure it can take.