Launches today in Auckland for National and Labour’s campaigns set the scene for the next six weeks in what looks to be a knife-edge election.<\/p>\n
Campaign launches are typically rah-rah affairs designed to rally party faithful, with both parties set to unveil new policies.<\/p>\n
National’s launch in central Auckland may indicate whether leader Christopher Luxon intends to focus on attacking Labour or bigging up National’s record this term and promises to “build the future”.<\/p>\n
Labour’s event in South Auckland will be a chance for leader Chris Hipkins to shift up a gear, having held his first public meeting of the campaign just two weeks ago when he told the crowd he was “just getting warmed up”.<\/p>\n
His speech back then was interrupted by hecklers<\/a> from Brian Tamaki’s Freedoms Party at least four times, but they were drowned out by the crowd who Hipkins thanked for having his back.<\/p>\n National’s 2023 launch came with no policy announcement, instead a “pledge card” listed eight of its priority promises<\/a> – from lowering inflation and growing the economy to restoring law and order, and lifting school achievement.<\/p>\n During this campaign, parties will have to prove their ability to tackle New Zealanders’ top five concerns: the cost of living, healthcare, the economy, unemployment, and housing, according to the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor.<\/p>\n