Labour leader Chris Hipkins and National leader Christopher Luxon kicked up sparks over claims of fiscal credibility, race and climate policy in the 1 News leaders’ debate, before finding common ground on regulating AI.
Hipkins repeatedly challenged Luxon over National’s unreleased fiscal plan, while Luxon alleged Labour’s own plan had an $18 billion funding hole and would introduce nine new taxes.
The pair also differed over whether race should influence health policy. Hipkins cited Maori life expectancy being seven years lower and Maori being twice as likely to die of cancer. “Yes, race is a factor,” he said.
Luxon argued that the government should meet people’s needs regardless of race and said Labour’s Maori Health Authority hadn’t improved outcomes.
Hipkins then accused Luxon of tolerating comments he described as racist from NZ First’s Winston Peters and Shane Jones, citing Peters’ “lie like flatfish” comment about Chinese people and Jones’ “butter chicken tsunami” remark.
On climate change, Hipkins pledged to cancel the proposed LNG import terminal, subject to contractual commitments, and redirect funding into renewables. Luxon said such an action would only raise power bills and argued transition to fossil fuels remained necessary.
AI produced a bit more of a cooperative sentiment between the two. Hipkins called for standards protecting copyright, intellectual property and privacy, saying New Zealand was falling behind. For his part, Luxon acknowledged AI’s dangers, supported working with like-minded countries on regulation and offered to work with Hipkins on the issue.
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