Luke discusses the dynamics of New Zealand’s upcoming election with Jayden Evett, a PhD candidate at ANU’s Department of Pacific Affairs.  While Australia won’t have elections until next year, New Zealand will vote on October 14.

Recent reports suggest New Zealand’s Labour Party is losing support, hitting its lowest poll numbers in six years, potentially falling into the 20s.

A recent poll indicates that the National Party could forge a coalition government with the Act party if an election were held now. This marks the third consecutive poll favoring this coalition, with opposition leader Christopher Luxon poised for a significant win.

Luxon and current Prime Minister Chris Hipkins are closely matched in preferred prime minister ratings, with Hipkins at 21 percent and Luxon at 20 percent.

Unlike Australia, New Zealand’s voting is not mandatory, and voters have two votes despite a single chamber system.

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