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TVNZ Live Debate with NZSL
19th September - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
TVNZ will host five live election debates during the election campaign, all live streamed on 1News.co.nz.
The first live Leaders’ Debate will take place between Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon on September 19 at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
It will be moderated by Political Editor Jessica Mutch McKay and will be the first time voters get to see the leaders of the country’s two main parties going head-to-head in a primetime debate.
The Young Voters’ Debate on September 25 at 7.30pm will be hosted by Re: News’ Anna Harcourt alongside 1News Digital’s Isaac Gunson.
This online-only debate will focus on the unique challenges affecting Gen Z and Millennial voters and be live streamed via all Re: News’ social channels, TVNZ+, 1News.co.nz and 1News social platforms.
Exploring the issues that matter most to Māori will be the focus for the Kaupapa Māori Debate on September 26.
Deputy Political Editor Maiki Sherman will be out front for this online-only debate, which will be live streamed from 7.30pm via TVNZ+, 1News.co.nz and across 1News social channels.
Q+A’s Jack Tame steps up to moderate the Multi-Party Debate on October 5, airing at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+.
The final party lineup will remain open until the week of the debate due to the timing of TVNZ’s qualifying polls.
The second and final Leaders’ Debate with Hipkins and Luxon airs just two days before polling day on October 12 at 7pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, led again by Jessica Mutch McKay.
Accessibility
Live captioning for Debates broadcast on TVNZ 1 and Election Night will be provided by Able, TVNZ’s accessibility partner.
In partnership with Deaf Aotearoa, a New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreted version of both Leaders Debates and the Multi-Party Debate will be broadcast live on Kordia channel 200.
This programme will offer Picture in Picture (PIP), with experienced interpreters shown as the primary image on screen alongside TVNZ 1’s live coverage.
Signed Debates will be available on TVNZ+ after the broadcast has concluded. These debates will also be provided on Deaf Aotearoa’s website, giving viewers’ choice and control over how they participate.