September 23, 2020
Debates stand out for what’s not said
Labour's Māori seat campaign manager believes his candidates have the edge on their Māori Party opponents in the head to head debates.
Willie Jackson is rating the first leader's debate between Jacinda Arden and Judith Collins a draw, with both women showing a sure grasp of their policies.
But he says the online NewsHub-The Hui debate with Waiariki seat candidates Tamati Coffey, Rawiri Waititi and Hannah Tamaki needed some historical context.
"I was particularly proud of our man Tamati Coffey who was going toe to toe with Rawiri Waititi, who seems to have had amnesia about what the Māori Party did in the previous nine years, only looking forward to the future. Good on him, he put on a strong performance, but Tamati more than matched him last night," Mr Jackson says.
The debate will be repeated on The Hui at the weekend on TV3.
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