National leader Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins have agreed - albeit after multiple attempts by NZHerald Leaders' Debate host Ryan Bridge and what appeared to be gritted teeth - to work together on long-term superannuation, infrastructure and AI issues within the first 100 days of the new government.
Both leaders, whose parties are sitting at low support levels (28% each in the latest 1News Verian Poll) and are also neck and neck in the preferred PM rankings (at 20%), took on their second leaders' debate this election on Wednesday evening.
Coalition partners
After an awkward start about honesty, Bridge pressed Luxon on if he maintained his position on ruling out any formal deals with the Opportunity Party post-election.
"I'm going to make the case between now and November the seventh, if you want National policies, if you want national ministers, if you want a national government... I've ruled them out. I don't know how to be any clearer," Luxon said
Hipkins said he would not "swallow another tax", when Bridge asked if he would take on potential coalition partner taxes.
Bipartisanship
On the topic of bipartisanship, and if they would work together on long-term funding for Pharmac, the pair started bickering, Luxon telling Hipkins, "let's not get so chirpy, just calm down."
Bridge asked again if they would agree to sit down in the first 100 days of the next government - no matter who is leading - and have a conversation about a long-term plan for health, superannuation, infrastructure and AI.
"Will you talk about a long-term plan for health funding? You will agree not to stop each other's infrastructure projects from going ahead? AI regulation? Will you commit to a genuine bipartisan approach, led from the top, no matter who is leading the country. Would you agree to that tonight?"
"I'd commit to the cross-party work that we want to do on superannuation, Luxon said. "I'd commit to a cross-party approach on infrastructure. AI, absolutely."
Hipkins said he had been "very clear we're going to stop the flip flopping on infrastructure."
CGT and leaders the admire
On property, Luxon said Labour's capital gains tax was "little but it will grow and grow and grow."
"Nonsense," Hipkins replied. "This is why people don't trust what you say."
They were also asked what leaders they admire - Hipkins saying Franklin D. Roosevelt and Luxon saying former US President Barack Obama.
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