Kiwis learn little in NZ election leaders' debate

Prime minister and Labour leader Chris Hipkins followed, saying "To be honest, I don't get to read much fiction or non-fiction at the moment".

One misheard the question, and one couldn't remember a single book.

As metaphors go, it was apt for Tuesday night's leaders' debate - the first of four on the road to October 14 - which veteran pundits said left voters none the wiser.

"I'm sorry, but what a snoozefest the two contenders to be prime minister treated us to in the first TV debate," NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett said.

"They get an A+ for delivering the set-piece lines they have now been delivering for months but neither had a transcendental moment or delivered a killer blow."

Senior writer Steve Braunias said his highlight of the night was a coat rack falling down in the TVNZ studio's foyer before it began.

"Coat hangers spilled out on to the floor. Goodness it was exciting. Nothing in the actual debate approached its impact and drama," he wrote.

Nerves might have been to blame. For both men, it was the first time they had debated in front of an expected million-strong audience.

Mr Hipkins took office in January after Jacinda Ardern's shock resignation and is facing his first election as leader.

Mr Luxon is not just a first-time leader but a first-term MP, elected in 2020 after an corporate career and taking the leadership in late 2021.

All five reviewers from the national newspaper gave the debate to Mr Luxon, the former Air New Zealand chief executive who boasts a poll lead and looks likely to be the next prime minister.

He did raise eyebrows with a pair of comments.

In a debate over health outcomes for Maori, Mr Luxon said his centre-right National party "invented" the "by Maori, for Maori" approach, a comment that provoked much ire on social media.

Later, he also said he supported universal free school lunches in state schools, a policy that National does not support and that would blow a hole in the budget.

In a post-debate press conference, he said he misspoke on both answers.

Mr Hipkins did offer a new policy, pledging to remove high-sugar drinks from secondary schools, following a ban in primary schools implemented by Labour.

Both leaders scored themselves an eight out of 10 for their showing, one of several times they agreed on Tuesday night.

In a rapid-response round, the pair agreed on whether New Zealand should become a republic (no), whether they supported a new flag (yes), and whether there should be more Maori language in schools (yes).

They also had similar views on continuing the ban on nuclear-powered submarines (yes), vapes being made prescription only (no), a four-year parliamentary term (no), a wealth tax (no) and a vacant households tax (no).

The pair - who are both called Chris and are both white, straight, male Gen Xers with two children - also both bought their first houses in Wellington in their early 20s.

A break to the agreement finally came when moderator Jessica Mutch-McKay asked their favourite beach.

Mr Luxon opted for Onetangi Beach on Waiheke Island, near Auckland, while Mr Hipkins chose Raumati South, north of Wellington.