Luxon and Hipkins meet in final debate as polls point to tight Parliament

Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins faced off in the final leaders' debate on the evening of 20 October, with New Zealand to vote on 7 November.

The debate was hosted by Stuff. It followed two new polls reported on 20 October that put Parliament on a knife-edge, with the Opportunity Party narrowly making it into Parliament as kingmaker. RNZ

In a 1News poll reported on 20 October, Luxon held steady on 20% as preferred prime minister, the measure of who voters want in the top job, while Hipkins fell three points to 17%. 1News A week earlier, the two had been tied on 20% each. 1News

During leaders' debate discussion, Luxon and Hipkins clashed over responsibility for the crisis facing the health system. NZ Herald

An earlier TVNZ Leaders Debate was hosted by Jack Tame. In that debate, 49% of a panel of undecided voters said Hipkins won, compared with 24% for Luxon, with 27% undecided. 1News

In 1News Vote Compass results for that debate, women favoured Hipkins over Luxon by 47% to 23%, while men favoured Hipkins by 41% to 28%. 1News