BEVS

That might do it. Just.

scrubbedexpat094

Obviously Gareth Morgan doesn't know anyone in the medical field, specifically obstetrics and gynecology. Otherwise he'd know TOP is an abbreviation of "Termination of Pregnancy" but glad to see he's in favour of abortion. Mind you he does seem to like killing things, cats in particular so we shouldn't be surprised

Kotare

Can't decide between Labour or Nats. The first will weaken the $ (already happening) thus increasing my (UK) income, while the latter will reduce taxes. Perhaps ACT to reflect my neo-economic tendencies (hi locarb).

escapedtonz

Vote done and dusted early. Wouldn't trust any party as far as I could throw them to make good on any promise they have stated in the lead up to this election, but I feel a change is in order so for me National have to go

Charismatic

Reporting of the election is becoming very shallow and one dimensional now. It’s popular social issues, domestic social issue and more bloody social issues. What about other important areas of government like the military and security services, law and order, foreign policy, public servants etc?

Having policies around housing and not raising taxes is fine but actually those things are just a very small part of a governments duties. I think it may even be safe to have a third or fourth policy without confusing voters!

chocolate cake

Another wild poll today, the One News poll consistent I with the recent 3 News poll, this giving National a decent lead, though still needing NZ First.

However given that apparently over 1 million have apparently already voted now, the most extensive poll is thankfully secret, though if these results are apparently ready to be announced when polls close, it suggest that someone must be aware of those results to date. Thankfully they're still secret though.

Jacinda Ardern has fought an impressive campaign, but it would be concerning if she was PM on Saturday with a Greens coalition. There's definitely a lack of experience, plenty of vision but no clear policies, just generation change, no shortage of captain's calls, and almost another tonight to spend $300m on a second fuel pipeline, pipeline tax anyone?
Quick to blame the National govt on the latter re: fuel issues, yet Labour rec'd the same survey results in 2005 and ignored things. At the end of the day though, it's not the govt, it's private issue and the fuel companies, they certainly make enough profit.

chocolate cake

To correct myself I think it's 800,000 voted to date though likely to be 1 mil by election day. Also these votes aren't counted until from 9am on Saturday. Still think it's wrong opening the polls for so long in advance of election day.

MrsFychan

Well hope everyone has taken the chance to exercise your right and voted.

I was aghast on viewing one of the news channels last night when they were interviewing people in Auckland and Wellington and the amount of young eligible people saying they had no intention of voting.

How can we get the younger generations more engaged to vote needs to be looked at?

BEVS

I know *sigh*

Me and him voted before the weekend.

Bo-Jangles

Some technology and other means of voting that doesn't require you to go out of your way and rock up at some stuff old school gym and be 'greeted' by Darby and Joan type officials. They had a pooling booth in our local mall and that was doing a roaring trade through the week with massive queues. So I say they should put more booths where younger people hang out or provide an app so that folks can vote with their phone.

Charismatic

So looking like Winston Peters/NZF will hold the balance of seats, will probably go with National but might be given pause for thought given the fate of Maori and Act. Playing a supporting act can be crushing if you thrive on differentiation.

MrsFychan

I agree they need to get up their game media wise, I also voted in the local mall before Saturday, wasn't aware it was there but as it was I voted.

BEVS

MrBEVS feels that ole Winston would rather sit beside English , than a group hug Ardern and the Greens

Charismatic

I expect that's likely true.

Strange the way media are portraying the Maori partys demise, did they genuinely expect to be able to face constituents in some of the lowest income communities in New Zealand after a confidence and supply agreement with National? They made their bed in 2014...

chocolate cake

I don't about encouraging voter participation, after all NZ's is reasonable high (among countries where's not obligatory) but surely we can have system where we're not waiting another two weeks for the results to be fully counted, with 15% 'special votes' still to uncounted, that's a heck of percentage.