Why We Vote

For covering events like debates where it makes more sense to just go ahead and live react than to respond after the fact. Feel free to get in touch!

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Tova's been pretty good, definitely not on Jacky Tame's level from what we've seen so far from each but I'm overall happy with the moderation and questions despite a couple missteps. 7/10, she should for sure get to host again.

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

As we near the end, worth saying most people don't watch debates and a lot of what leaders say is simply not very accessible. Who the hell knows what a neoliberal is? Not 99% of people. Leaders could always be more accessible, but the further the night goes, the more they bicker.

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Have we all been pronouncing Iran and Gaza wrong? Is Rawiri showing us the way?

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

It is a very odd world where somebody is attacking Winston Peters for being *too* neoliberal and *too* invested in market efficiency over big government ownership.

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Winston has now brought up the Kremlin and the Soviet Union

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

I was deliberating over whether Qiulae talking about "talking to many young people" counts as an anecdote for bingo before I realised Winston literally talked about meeting Lee Yuan Kew. Anyway yeah that's a bingo line crossed off for me!

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Shoutout to the public for being Very Boring by voting cost of living as this segment's topic. foregone conclusion, given that TVNZ didn't bring it up directly in the debate until we got here, so really just a way to try to get and show public engagement.

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Winston rallies in what is otherwise a disastrous debate for him by rightly pointing to the voters being the ones who decide the longevity of politicians and who they're accountable to - it's his best refrain, it's one he's returned to time and again, why does nobody else say it?

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Very funny random shot for Seymour to point out citizens-only voting disproportionately helps TPM. This is where Seymour can reach that Winston cannot on the right - Winston is trying to tap into the ugly populist surge while Seymour is being the nice liberal civic nationalist.

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Jesus Christ, I think this is the most racist and divisive I've seen Winston (or any party leader) look in a debate. It'll have appeal on the hard right but that's it. Bro did not put his hand up for diversity being a good thing and it just got worse from there

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Love a revelation in the debate ad break. New season of Ludwig starting on Sunday...Stephen Merchant in an episode...I used to pray for days like this

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Damn, Swarbrick talking about being the leading party on the left is in complete control of herself and really does sound like a future Deputy Prime Minister. For a 32 year old, it can't be understated how exceptional her upskilling has been over the past decade in Parliament!

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

By the way, I'm counting "black eyes" on a technicality for Swarbrick's very noticeably strong eyeshadow. Again aesthetic, not important, but it's been interesting to see her evolution into a more formal and sharply defined style of presentation as she's become co-leader.

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Opportunity have come off as clearly progressive-aligned tonight, and saying that the role of a bluegreen party in coalition with National should be stopping them doing bad things - rather than, you know, doing good things - can only reinforce that.

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

V smart by Swarbrick to, when asked about the diff with Opportunity, pivot to "we will not put Luxon in" and then start hitting the government - it's a way to avoid going negative while still pushing the left-right battle here. Interesting that Qiulae weighs in on stopping things

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

LOL this is one of those purely aesthetic judgements that doesn't matter but why when the camera cut to Swarbrick just before the break did she look devastated. Was she just exasperated at Winnie/David? Her replies to opponents often reach "outcry" p quick for better or worse.

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Number of leaders who have said "the Māoris" this debate: two

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

I am really impressed by how few interruptions there are tonight. The leaders are overwhelmingly just letting each other speak! More than maybe any political debate I've seen before! It's so healathy and such a breath of fresh air.

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

"the black people" OH WINSTON NO CAREFUL

[Why We Vote @frozen_peaches]

Why on Earth is Swarbrick not saying "no I don't support prison abolition" before getting into the different choices and the what Bill English said and so on. Let TPM take the heat on this! You can't get prison abolition in the next term so why entertain the idea in 2026?