Hipkins and Luxon Clash in First 2026 Leaders Debate

New Zealand’s first leaders' debate of 2026 offered a mix of personal revelations and policy clashes. Chris Hipkins, leader of the Labour Party, joked that he preferred the Warriors winning the NRL Premiership over the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup. Meanwhile, Christopher Luxon, leader of the National Party, claimed he had never pulled a sickie. Both leaders expressed a desire to learn more te reo Māori, but the debate quickly turned to substantive issues, particularly the cost of living.

The cost of living dominated early discussions, with Luxon emphasizing National’s plan to boost the economy without new taxes. Hipkins countered by questioning whether New Zealanders were better off under National, accusing Luxon of repeating empty promises. Both leaders agreed on the need for a high-wage economy, though Luxon ruled out freezing the minimum wage, a policy supported by ACT.

Healthcare was another contentious topic, with both leaders pledging to hire more nurses. Luxon claimed his government had hired 2,100 nurses, while Hipkins argued only 54 were hired under the current government, with the rest funded by Labour’s previous term. Hipkins also committed to reinstating the smokefree generation legislation but offered no solution to the rise in youth vaping.

Education sparked some of the fiercest exchanges, with Luxon labeling Hipkins the 'worst education minister New Zealand has ever had.' Hipkins defended Labour’s policies, including reinstating the old school lunch scheme and scrapping charter schools, which Luxon claimed were successful. The debate also touched on taxes, with both leaders agreeing New Zealand’s tax system was unfair but refusing to commit on whether billionaires were morally acceptable.