The Bradbury Group

Who won the first TVNZ leaders’ debate of 2026? Martyn “Bomber” Bradbury breaks down Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins’ performances with Willie Jackson, Sandra Grey and Sean Plunket.

Then Matthew Tukaki, Dr Harpreet Singh and John Tamihere join the political panel to debate the strongest exchanges, the questions left unanswered and whether either leader gave undecided voters a reason to back them.

What could the debate mean for National, Labour and the 2026 New Zealand election?

The debate is over. The argument starts here.

Recorded live on Tuesday 6 October 2026.

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Nicky Hager discusses his new book Dirty Work, Gerry Brownlee reflects on three years as Speaker of the House, and The Bradbury Group panel examines what the latest election poll means for New Zealand.

Martyn Bradbury talks to Brownlee about the highs and lows of the role and why democracy matters. Hager discusses the response to Dirty Work, the claims in his reporting and what happens next.

Then Tania Waikato, Max Harris, Oscar Kightley and Professor Wayne Hope join the political panel to discuss:

• The latest 1News Verian poll and what’s at stake in the 2026 election• Racism in politics and the issues raised by Dirty Work• Treasury’s pre-election economic and fiscal update, and what the books reveal

Follow The Bradbury Group for political interviews, debate and analysis from Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Nicky Hager’s Dirty Work is revealed just two hours before The Bradbury Group goes live. Could it change the 2026 election?

Marama Davidson and Mark Mitchell join Martyn Bradbury LIVE as we debate KiwiMart, concentrated corporate power, New Zealand’s readiness for a potentially extreme El Niño and the inflationary fallout from Trump’s war in Iran.

*1-ON-1 IN 10*
Hon Mark Mitchell — Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery

After almost three years in the portfolio, is New Zealand properly prepared for a potentially historic El Niño? Should marae receive funding to operate as community civil-defence hubs—and should RSAs be included?

*EXTRA 1-ON-1 IN 10*
Marama Davidson — Green Party co-leader

What could Nicky Hager’s new book mean for the election? And why is the Greens’ publicly owned KiwiMart proposal called “communism” when its stated purpose is to break up New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly?

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With the election just weeks away, Martyn Bradbury is joined by National MP Chris Penk, former National MP Tau Henare and political commentator Dr Harpreet Singh to debate the latest polls, the leadership of Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins, Erica Stanford’s war with the teachers’ unions, the Government’s Treaty clause review and why New Zealand struggles to deliver major infrastructure.

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer explains the party’s tactical voting strategy and its plan to create an MMP overhang, while Greenpeace director Russell Norman warns New Zealand is sleepwalking into a climate crisis.

Plus, the City Rail Link is finally finished. Was it worth the wait and the $5.5 billion price tag?

The Bradbury Group is proudly sponsored by Waatea News.

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Former Prime Minister Helen Clark joins Martyn Bradbury to discuss the war with Iran, Ukraine, Gaza and the West Bank, New Zealand’s role in the Pacific, and her decision to keep the country out of the Iraq War.

Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds responds to rising unemployment, child poverty, the Government’s welfare changes and the poll showing Labour slumping to 25%.

Then Sandra Grey, Maria Slade and Matthew Tukaki debate the latest election policies, Labour’s campaign strategy, state-backed supermarkets, NZ First’s superannuation plan and ACT candidate Paul Henry’s appearance at a pub displaying Confederate flags and burning Jacinda Ardern’s book.

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