ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

The Huddle: Should the election be delayed?

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 9 Apr 2020, 8:48PM
Winston Peters wants the date to be delayed. (Photo / NZ Herald)
Winston Peters wants the date to be delayed. (Photo / NZ Herald)

The Huddle: Should the election be delayed?

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 9 Apr 2020, 8:48PM

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Government is sticking with its plans to hold the general election on September 19, despite calls from her Deputy to push it out a couple of months.

This morning, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said he was pushing for the election date to be delayed until November 21.

This was a view all MP from New Zealand First – Labour's governing coalition partner – shared, Peters told RNZ.

But speaking to media this afternoon, Ardern said there were no plans to change the election date at this stage.

"From our perspective, it's too soon to make a determination of where we will be even in a months' time from now," Ardern said when asked about pushing the data out.

Although the date is something the Government will keep reviewing,

"At the moment, we've kept it to September 19."

She said the alert level New Zealand is in at the time of the election and the campaign season will make "a big difference".

New Zealand is currently in alert level 4 – Ardern said on April 20, two days' before the lockdown is scheduled to end, the Government will make a decision as to whether lockdown restrictions will be eased.

Josie Pagani and David Farrar joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss if it should be changed. 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you