National may have closed the door on New Zealand First, but is leaving it ajar for the Maori Party.
National MP Mark Mitchell earlier this week said that the Act Party is a strong partner to National.
He's also predicting a resurgence in the Maori Party and says National could team up with them again.
What does the future hold for the two minor parties? And will New Zealand First need to change its tactic to maintain its presence?
Political commentator Matthew Hooton has predicted that Labour already has the election in the bag - it is simply a matter of whether it will be a coalition with the Greens or with NZ First as well.
He joined The Weekend Collective to discuss where the parties differ, how the gun buyback could change things, and why this election could be disastrous for National.Â
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