The Latest Breaking News from National

Many are feeling the sooner the election is over, the better. The polite and courteous reaction from voters on the doorstop parallels what happened in the 1990 election with Labour's record landslide loss to National – voters had long since made up their minds to change the government, argues Peter Dunne

The latest 1News-Verian poll comes too quickly to soak up the impact of Tuesday's debate and broadly shows no big changes for the right or the left, Marc Daalder writes

Last night’s live TV leaders debate between Labour’s Chris Hipkins and National’s Christopher Luxon made clear the policy and leadership style differences between the two contenders to become New Zealand’s next prime minister.

The first leader’s debate didn’t reach any great heights but those directly involved will not be unhappy with the outcome. Mark Jennings gives his thoughts on debate night - round one.

Televised debate reveals more similarities than differences between the two Chrises and shed very little new light on what makes the pair tick. Political editor Jo Moir was in the audience.

Act is convinced its deputy leader, Brooke van Velden, can win the Tāmaki seat but a lot of things will have to go right for her to beat the National incumbent, writes Liam Hehir

It seems there is a cosy cartel among political parties: don’t ask to see our spreadsheets, and we won’t ask to see yours. But if it is just back-of-the-envelope stuff – or wishful thinking – we need to know, says Tim Hazledine

New Zealand's two Chrises - National leader Chris Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins - have sparred in their first televised leaders' debate.

Matt Berninger ropes in old friends Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers for bullish surprise album